Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has directed concerned ministries and agencies to strongly advocate Nepal’s climate justice agenda at the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly known as COP 29, to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan in November.
Speaking at the third meeting of the Environment Protection and Climate Change Management National Council on Friday, Oli urged officials to present Nepal’s clear position and perspective on climate change which was highlighted during the 79th United Nations General Assembly and its sideline meetings.
President Ram Chandra Paudel is scheduled to lead the Nepali delegation to COP 29.
PM Oli has been advocating for fair compensation from carbon-emitting countries, arguing that while Nepal’s Himalayas contribute to balancing global temperatures, these mountains are melting due to global carbon emissions. He called on the international community to develop plans for environmental balance from the Himalayas to the seas.
The Prime Minister also directed officials to prioritize forest expansion to end the situation of designated forest areas lacking actual forest cover. While Nepal has 46% designated forest area, only 28% has actual forest coverage.
PM Oli also instructed officials not to delay forest clearance approvals for development projects that have already been approved. “The forest ministry should not act as if it owns the forests. There have been complaints about the ministry blocking approvals for projects which have already been approved by the cabinet,” Oli said. “While protecting necessary forests, we should allow industry operations in non-forested areas when needed,” he said.
The meeting also reviewed the council’s annual work, discussed the implementation status of previous decisions, and decided to rename the Ministry of Forest and Environment as the Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change.
