Every year, Nepal announces its intention to highlight the mountain agenda, but these efforts remain largely confined within the country
Before departing Baku for COP29, Nepali government officials informed that the focus would be on the mountain agenda, building a network among mountainous countries, and establishing links with coastal nations that are also suffering from the impacts of climate change.
The 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has concluded. Delegates and observers have returned to their respective countries.
However, Nepal could not achieve its goal of creating a network among mountain countries to champion the mountain agenda at the UNFCCC.
When the date of the COP draws near every year, the Nepalese government officials say that the network will lead the “Mountain Agenda” from Nepal.
According to Raju Pandit Chhetri, a negotiator and expert in climate finance from Nepal, the country has been addressing the mountain agenda, led by the network, since 2009. At that time, Nepal had participated in the COP by organizing a cabinet meeting in Kalapathar at an altitude of 5,644 from the sea level.
“Nepal is a success in raising awareness about the mountain agenda, as well as focusing on this particular issue,” he said, adding, “The mountain agenda however is not getting the attention it deserves.”
Raju then pointed out, “If the government wants to lead the Mountain Agenda, it should deal with the issue from different angles. This agenda will not be resolved overnight.
“Nepal must formulate a visionary strategy with a timetable to drive the Mountain Agenda through diplomacy. It should be a vision spanning at least 15 years, and where we will stand after this period.”
Nepal initiative not a new one
The cabinet meeting at Kala Patthar in 2009 was a significant event organized by Nepal to draw global attention to the impacts of climate change, particularly on the Himalayan region.
This high-altitude meeting, held near Mount Everest at an elevation of 5,242 meters, aimed to highlight the risks posed by global warming, such as glacial melting and its effects on communities dependent on Himalayan water resources.
Sunil Acharya, regional coordinator of Oxfam Asia, had underscored the innovative and attention-grabbing nature of the initiative. By conducting such a unique meeting, Nepal effectively highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change on a global platform.
It demonstrated a creative way to connect local issues with global discourse.
Over the past 14 years, Nepal has struggled to effectively advance the mountain agenda at the international level. Experts highlight that promoting the mountain agenda requires robust diplomacy, but unfortunately, Nepal has not taken sufficient initiative to prioritize it.
“The mountain agenda has been limited to speeches by Nepal’s president and prime minister,” said Raju Pandit, adding, “It must be a priority in every diplomatic meeting, but Nepal’s efforts have not been effective.”
Nepal has organized several regional conferences and summits to bring attention to the mountain agenda.
For instance, on May 9-10, 2024, Nepal hosted an international dialogue in Kathmandu to address the impact of climate change on the Himalayas. This event included ministerial-level participants from Bangladesh and Bhutan.
Similarly, during COP29 in Baku and COP28 in Dubai, Nepal held side events focused on the mountain agenda, with the participation of Nepal’s president and prime minister. However, this agenda has yet to be included in any official documents under the UNFCCC framework.
Buddi Paudel, a joint secretary at the Nepalese Ministry of Forests and Environment, noted that despite Nepal’s efforts, the mountain agenda has not been incorporated into the UNFCCC process.
Raju Pandit remarked that most of the events Nepal organized between 2009 and 2024 have been limited to raising awareness about the issue.
