Kathmandu [Nepal], Sept 21 -A delegation from the main opposition Nepali Congress met Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Monday to present a study on climate change impacts and urge the government to take a firm stance at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
The delegation, which included Nepali Congress Vice President Bishwa Prakash Sharma and parliamentary party leader Bhishma Raj Angdembe, submitted research prepared by the party’s Policy, Research and Training Academy at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar.
Expressing solidarity with the government ahead of the international summit, the opposition leaders urged Prime Minister Shah to present evidence-based claims regarding extreme weather events including the recent Bhotekoshi disaster to command global attention.
Vice President Sharma emphasized that despite contributing less than 1 percent of global carbon emissions, Nepal suffers severe, disproportionate climate damages, describing the burden as akin to a life sentence. The delegation encouraged the Prime Minister to lead small-nation climate coalitions, use tactful diplomacy to push for Paris Agreement compliance and engage in targeted lobbying on the sidelines of the UN summit.
Prime Minister Shah assured the delegation that Nepal’s address and official submissions to the United Nations are grounded in facts and expert insights.
The meeting comes a day before Prime Minister Shah is scheduled to depart for the United States on Tuesday afternoon to address the United Nations General Assembly.
