Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has suggested that Prime Minister Balendra Shah present Nepal’s case at the United Nations General Assembly with facts, evidence and scientific claims.
Speaking at a meeting of the party’s Central Work Execution Committee in Sanepa on Sunday, Thapa urged the prime minister not to limit his upcoming foreign visit to a mere formality or a grand show.
Prime Minister Shah is preparing to travel to New York to attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly later this month.
Thapa said Nepal needs to strongly raise the problems it is facing due to climate change on the global stage. Citing natural disasters such as the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa as an example, he said Nepal should present to the international community, backed by scientific evidence, the losses it has suffered despite having very low greenhouse gas emissions.
He also urged the prime minister to consult extensively with experts, university researchers and specialists while preparing for the foreign visit, rather than relying solely on his secretariat.
“We have been raising the issue of the impacts of climate change for years, but our claims from now on must be based on scientific studies. Nepal must not only raise the issue of loss and damage but also strongly lobby for grant-based climate finance,” Thapa said.
