Kathmandu, 07 Aug: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has called on the global community to work together to slow the pace of glacier melting.
Addressing a side event focused on the impact of climate change on landlocked developing countries caused by glacier melt, Prime Minister Oli emphasized that the Himalayas can be saved through concrete and coordinated actions.
“Let not the voices of the mountains die buried beneath melting ice. Nepal is ready to work together, to lead, and to partner for the protection of the Himalayas,” said Prime Minister Oli.
“May our actions inspire the global community to pursue climate justice.
The Himalayas are not just a source of life and livelihood for billions of people — they are our identity, our national pride, our present, and our future. Moreover, the Himalayas and the oceans are deeply interconnected, replenishing and sustaining each other.”
Prime Minister Oli emphasized that the preservation of the Himalayas — often referred to as the “cooling centers of the Earth” — cannot be achieved solely through Nepal’s efforts. It also requires serious commitment from major carbon-emitting countries.
He stressed that the problem of glacier melting is not just an environmental concern for countries like Nepal but a direct and ongoing threat to their development, security, and very existence.
“Nepal has already suffered from the devastation caused by glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs),” he said. “One such flood, triggered by a glacial lake burst, caused significant human and physical damage at the Rasuwa Gadhi border area between Nepal and China.
These climate-induced disasters are becoming increasingly frequent, and similar threats may arise in the future,” Prime Minister Oli warned.
“These risks are putting pressure on our agriculture, hydropower, tourism, and biodiversity. The dangers extend beyond our national borders and could endanger our collective future. That is why global partnership is essential, and Nepal is committed to strengthening that cooperation.”
