Minister Shrestha urges use of regional cooperation and technology to tackle climate and land-disaster

लगानी न्यूज

११ कार्तिक २०८३, बुधबार १२:५९October 28, 2026

TAG_OPEN_div_18 Kathmandu: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has stressed on space technology, data exchange and regional cooperation to mitigate the complex disasters caused by climate change in the Himalayan region.

In his address at the fifth ministerial conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, organized by the United Nations Asia and Pacific Economic and Social Commission in Bangkok, Thailand this morning, Minister Shrestha stressed on the need of regional cooperation and technology utilization to combat climate and disaster.TAG_OPEN_div_16

During his address, Minister Shrestha drew attention to the major disasters caused by the recent avalanche in Langtang Lirung and landslides in Budhigandaki area, loss of life and property and impact on the under-construction hydropower project. He said that according to the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, the impact of the disaster is about $2.7 billion and about $4.8 billion will be needed for reconstruction.TAG_OPEN_div_14

Minister Shrestha welcomed the draft of the Bangkok Ministerial Declaration and called for strengthening satellite data sharing, early warning systems and technical cooperation in the third phase from 2026 to 2030. He also reiterated Nepal’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions and protect clean energy systems by 2045, even though Nepal’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is negligible (0.01 percent).TAG_OPEN_div_12

On the sidelines of the conference, a regional dialogue on ‘From Sagarmatha to Sagar: Lessons of the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli Disaster’ is also going to be held on Thursday, October 29, jointly organized by Nepal and United Nations ESCAP.TAG_OPEN_div_10