Kathmandu – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has drawn the global community’s attention to the fact that disasters in Nepal confirm the risks posed by the climate crisis.
Addressing the opening session of the UN General Assembly, Secretary-General Guterres stated that Himalayan nations, including Nepal, are disproportionately affected by rising temperatures caused by climate change. He warned that the world would face even greater challenges if the trend of rising temperatures and accelerating glacial melt continues.
During his visit to Nepal three years ago, Secretary-General Guterres had warned the global community about the rapid melting of glaciers. He emphasized that disasters such as the Bhote Koshi floods in Nepal have turned climate-related issues into a stark reality.
“Three years ago, from the mountains of Nepal, I warned that the ‘roof of the world’ was collapsing,” he said. “While some dismissed that warning as an exaggeration, recent events have confirmed that the impacts of climate change are manifesting faster, more severely, and more extensively than anticipated.”
Secretary-General Guterres clarified that the risks arising from climate change are no longer a future concern but a present reality, noting that countries contributing the least to global carbon emissions are paying the heaviest price.
Highlighting the need for climate justice, he expressed the view that polluters must bear the costs, while vulnerable nations affected by climate-induced disasters should receive justice and necessary financial support as compensation. “The fund established to address loss and damage caused by climate change lacks sufficient funds. I urge developed nations to fulfill their climate finance commitments,” Guterres said. “I call for tripling climate adaptation finance and mobilizing additional resources for the loss and damage fund.”
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