Kathmandu - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Nepal’s Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) have reiterated their commitment to strengthening cooperation in forest governance, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and ecosystem restoration, reflecting Nepal’s growing focus on nature-based solutions to address environmental and developmental challenges.
Ken Shimizu, FAO Representative for Bhutan and Nepal, met with Honorable Madhav Prasad Chaulagain, Minister for Forests and Environment, to review ongoing collaboration and explore avenues for expanding joint initiatives aligned with Nepal’s national priorities. The discussion underscored the importance of forests and healthy ecosystems in supporting livelihoods, reducing climate risks and meeting national and global environmental commitments.
During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed FAO’s continued technical support to Nepal, particularly in policy development, institutional strengthening and the application of science-based approaches in forest and biodiversity management. Emphasis was placed on improving coordination between institutions, enhancing knowledge sharing, and building partnerships that can translate policy commitments into effective action on the ground.
The engagement also highlighted the need to scale up joint programmes that integrate forest conservation with climate adaptation and restoration efforts, especially in the context of increasing climate-induced risks such as forest degradation, biodiversity loss and ecosystem vulnerability. Strengthening forest governance and community-based management were identified as key areas where FAO’s technical expertise can complement national efforts.
The meeting reflects a shared understanding that long-term environmental sustainability in Nepal depends on coherent policies, strong institutions and collaborative action among government agencies, development partners and local stakeholders. As Nepal advances its forest, biodiversity and climate agendas, the reinforced FAO-MoFE partnership is expected to play a significant role in supporting inclusive, resilient and ecosystem-based development pathways.
