G-7 support needed for post-disaster rehabilitation: Foreign Minister Khanal
लगानी न्यूज
Kathmandu
Minister for Foreign Affairs Shishir Khanal has said that long-term international support is needed for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of climate-related disaster-hit Nepal.
Addressing the G-7 Development Ministers’ Meeting on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on the latest climate disaster situation of Nepal, Minister Bhattarai called for G7 cooperation and collaboration on climate rehabilitation, climate finance, disaster preparedness, multilateral financial cooperation and issues related to the mountain sector.TAG_OPEN_div_102
Addressing the meeting on behalf of Nepal, Prime Minister Oli expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government and people of Nepal to the G7 member states and other friendly countries for their solidarity and support to Nepal in this difficult time of climate disaster.TAG_OPEN_div_100
“I highly appreciate the leadership of the G-7 in advancing international cooperation in the areas of climate change, sustainable development, resilience and disaster risk reduction,” he said. He thanked the G-7 Chair France for hosting the meeting.
Minister Khanal said the loss of lives and property caused by the recent climate-induced disaster in Nepal was enormous, adding that the floods have damaged houses, roads, bridges, schools, health facilities and hydropower infrastructure, and also affected normal life and essential services.TAG_OPEN_div_96
According to preliminary estimates, more than TAG_OPEN_div_94 five billion US dollars will be needed for rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Stating that the scientific study of the disaster was ongoing, he said preliminary information has been received that the disaster occurred due to the complex interaction among snow, rock, water and unstable topography in the rapidly heating mountainous environment.TAG_OPEN_div_92
He informed that the government has formed an expert committee to study the geological and glacial and hydrological causes of climate change.TAG_OPEN_div_90
“Climate change is no longer a distant threat to Nepal. It is our present reality and both the intensity and frequency of its impact are increasing,” Minister Khanal said, “It has caused loss of life and livelihood and is affecting the development achievements achieved through long efforts.” ”
“Mountains, rivers, communities and critical infrastructure are at increasing risk of floods, landslides, glacial risks and other climate-induced disasters,” he said.TAG_OPEN_div_83
Minister Khanal said that although Nepal’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emission is very low, Nepal is facing disproportionate impacts of climate change.TAG_OPEN_div_81
“Nepal has contributed very little to global emissions. However, we are experiencing the effects of climate disproportionately, from catastrophic floods and landslides to melting glaciers,” he said.
Presenting five major expectations of Nepal for the rehabilitation and reconstruction, Minister Khanal said that partnership was necessary for the rehabilitation as the first priority.TAG_OPEN_div_77
Expressing gratitude for the support and goodwill received from the friendly countries in humanitarian assistance, he said coordinated international efforts including grants and concessional financial resources were needed for the long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction.TAG_OPEN_div_75
Urging the government to ease access to climate finance as a second priority, Minister Khanal said adaptation and loss finance should be made quickly, easily and easily accessible to developing countries and countries at risk of climate risk.TAG_OPEN_div_73
He said that Nepal has requested for financial arrangements related to the Loss and Damage Fund and is awaiting a positive response.TAG_OPEN_div_71
Minister Khanal also stressed the need to increase investment in disaster prevention and preparedness, and urged the government to prioritize early warning systems, climate information, water and weather services, climate-resilient infrastructures and community-based disaster preparedness programmes.TAG_OPEN_div_69
He called on the G-7 and other partner countries to expand investment in such areas to address the growing seriousness of climate-related disasters. Minister Khanal stressed the need to mobilize quick, affordable and easy financial resources through multilateral financial institutions.TAG_OPEN_div_67
} “Timely financial resources are not just a financial instrument, but a lifeline for countries that are more vulnerable to climate shocks,” he said.
He urged the G7 member states to use their influence and coordination capacity to mobilize the necessary financial resources in collaboration with Multilateral Development Banks and International Financial Institutions.TAG_OPEN_div_63
Stressing on the need of keeping the mountainous region in the climate agenda, Minister Khanal said that the future of glaciers, mountains and water systems is inseparably linked to regional and global climate security.TAG_OPEN_div_61
} “Changes in the Himalayas are not limited to the Himalayas,” he said, adding that they affect the monsoon system, river banks, agricultural systems and lives of millions of people in South Asia and beyond. ”
He said that Nepal was ready to collaborate with the G-7 for the protection of the Himalayan ecosystem and for the promotion of common climate resilience. Urging the Bhotekoshi disaster not to be seen as a tragedy limited to Nepal, Minister Khanal presented it as a serious message from the Himalayas to the world community.TAG_OPEN_div_57
“The Bhotekoshi disaster is not just a tragedy in Nepal. It is a warning from the Himalayas. A warming earth can reverse decades of development gains in a few hours,” he said.
He stressed the need to transform international solidarity into concrete action, risk into resilience and shared responsibility into climate justice. “Nepal looks forward to collaborating with all international partners, including the G-7, to build a safe, resilient and sustainable world,” Minister Khanal said.TAG_OPEN_div_53
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