Nepal seeks grant-based climate funding at COP31

During the ongoing COP31 summit in Antalya, Turkey, officials addressed international partners at the Nepal Pavilion to highlight the severe pressures facing mountain ecosystems. Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Environment Gita Chaudhary urged developed nations to provide adequate and predictable financial assistance through grants rather than loans, noting that vulnerable countries require dedicated resources to tackle escalating climate challenges. Outlining the financial requirements for the coming decade, Chaudhary stated that the nation needs between $18 billion and $20 billion specifically for climate adaptation initiatives spanning from 2025 to 2035. She stressed that vulnerable mountain states must receive non-debt-creating support to properly protect their local populations and natural environments from ongoing climate shifts. In addition to increased financial commitments, the delegation detailed several key priorities for the international gathering. These goals include keeping global temperature increases within the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold and securing institutional recognition for mountain-specific concerns under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.