Kathmandu, November 28, 2025
Nepal has secured a significant diplomatic and environmental breakthrough at the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP-30) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, successfully positioning mountain conservation as a distinct and recurring global climate agenda.
For the first time in the COP process, a formal decision has been made to institutionalize a “Mountain Global Dialogue,” ensuring that mountain ecosystems and the communities dependent on them will be discussed at the global level every year. Nepali officials describe this outcome as the result of sustained advocacy led by Nepal, particularly highlighting the growing climate risks faced by Himalayan regions.
According to Dr. Maheshwar Dhakal, Climate Scientist and Joint Secretary at Nepal’s Ministry of Forests and Environment, COP-30 marked a turning point. “This conference worked in Nepal’s favor because we were able to secure a separate global decision in support of mountain conservation,” he said. The first official global dialogue on mountain issues is scheduled to take place next year in Bonn, Germany.
Global leaders at COP-30 acknowledged Nepal as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions, especially due to accelerating glacier melt in the Himalayas. In response, Nepal reaffirmed its readiness to work collaboratively with all countries to minimize climate impacts. The country strengthened its case by presenting the outcomes of the Sagarmatha Dialogue held earlier this year, which received strong backing from other mountainous nations and small island states.
Nepal’s role as the then-chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) group further amplified its voice, helping transform the mountain conservation agenda from a regional concern into a global priority. However, officials acknowledge that continued progress will require stronger domestic preparation. Nepal is now preparing to hold extensive consultations with national stakeholders in the coming month to shape future strategies.
Despite sending its smallest-ever delegation-led by Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr. Madan Pariyar-to Belém, Nepal’s concerns gained notable international attention. Officials noted that global negotiators showed an unprecedented willingness to listen to and accept Nepal’s proposals.
Nepal also raised critical equity issues at COP-30, emphasizing that while it excels in forest conservation, biodiversity protection, and nature-based solutions compared to its two large neighbors, the global benefits of these efforts are disproportionately enjoyed by more developed countries. This argument contributed to an important outcome: developed countries agreed to triple adaptation finance, opening the door for Nepal to access significantly higher grants through climate adaptation funds.
However, accessing this finance will not be automatic. Nepal must submit technically sound, evidence-based project proposals. In response, the Ministry of Forests and Environment has already begun internal discussions to strengthen institutional capacity, focusing on proposal preparation and easier access to international climate funds.
Nepal also highlighted future risks stemming from continued fossil fuel use by neighboring countries, warning that transboundary climate impacts could further endanger fragile Himalayan ecosystems. Officials believe that clearly demonstrating such impacts could help unlock additional international support and concessional finance.
During the conference, Nepal formally presented its Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), Third Biennial Transparency Report on carbon emissions, and the Sagarmatha Dialogue conclusions. Through bilateral and multilateral meetings, the Nepali delegation advocated for improved access to the Loss and Damage Fund, climate finance mechanisms, climate-friendly technologies, and capacity-building support.
As COP-30 concludes, Nepal’s success in advancing the mountain agenda marks a notable step forward-not only for the Himalayas but for mountain regions worldwide-while underscoring the need for sustained commitment, technical readiness, and global solidarity in the face of accelerating climate change.
