Kathmandu, August 18,2025 – Minister Dr. Rana has called for urgent collective action to address the climate crisis, stressing that climate change is a borderless challenge threatening human civilization and requiring joint efforts from all nations.
Speaking at the opening of a regional conference of parliamentarians from the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) countries in Kathmandu, Dr. Rana said, “This is a common problem against human civilization. It does not recognize countries, geography, or political parties. Its solution must be sought collectively.”
Highlighting the urgency of the crisis, she noted that climate change is no longer a distant forecast but a daily reality. She urged lawmakers to prioritize climate action as a national agenda, enact strong legal frameworks, mobilize resources, and hold governments accountable.
Dr. Rana pointed out that government efforts alone are insufficient to address complex environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, deteriorating air quality, and natural disasters. “This responsibility must be shared by all,” she said.
Citing a recent World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report that revealed a 1.5°C rise in global temperatures, Dr. Rana underlined the need for rapid emissions reduction, long-term cost mitigation, and progress toward sustainable development goals.
She also referenced the recent advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which affirmed that states have a legal duty to protect the climate, reduce emissions, address severe impacts, and prevent transboundary harm.
The minister expressed concern over recent floods in India, Pakistan, and Nepal, which killed many people, destroyed infrastructure, and left several missing, stressing that the HKH region is among the hardest hit. Nepal, despite its negligible carbon emissions, is facing severe consequences including earthquakes, glacial melt, erratic rainfall, biodiversity loss, floods, and landslides. She described this as a case of “climate injustice.”
Recalling the first edition of the Sagarmatha Dialogue held in Kathmandu in May, Dr. Rana noted that global leaders, policymakers, and thinkers had issued a 25-point roadmap for advancing climate action.
The HKH parliamentarians’ conference, which brings together representatives from across the region, aims to strengthen cooperation in addressing the escalating climate crisis in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
