UN chief to draw global attention to the impacts of climate change in Nepal

KATHMANDU: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has pledged to draw global attention to the impact of climate change on mountain life in Nepal. He made this commitment while visiting the Everest region as part of his four-day visit to Nepal on Monday

During his visit, Guterres engaged in an interaction with the local community to discuss the challenges posed by climate change and its impacts on their daily lives. He expressed commitment to informing the world about the consequences of climate change in mountain regions and incorporating the input of the local residents in the upcoming COP-28.

Local residents briefed Guterres about various climate change-related issues, including the melting of snow, climate change-induced hazards, the depletion of water resources, the impact on local agriculture, and occurrences of avalanches. They also discussed the energy crisis in their locality and requested UN support for the development of micro hydropower projects.

Today from the base of Mt. Everest, I saw for myself the terrible impact of the climate crisis on the Himalayas.

As temperatures rise, glacier melt increases – threatening the lives and livelihoods of entire communities.#ClimateAction can’t wait. pic.twitter.com/Ih12Qb8roi

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) October 30, 2023

Guterres was accompanied by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Undersecretary General for Peace Operations at the United Nations, Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal, and other UN officials.

As part of his visit, Guterres is scheduled to visit Pokhara, Annapurna Base Camp, and Lumbini. Likewise, he is scheduled to address the joint session of the federal parliament on Tuesday afternoon.