Developed Nations Block Mountain Agenda at COP31 Summit
Nepal and Bhutan's proposal for a dedicated mountain climate agenda failed to reach consensus at COP31 in Antalya, as developed nations blocked financial obligations.
A coalition led by Nepal and Bhutan, with support from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan, failed to secure a dedicated mountain agenda at the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye. The proposal sought formal recognition of mountain vulnerabilities, grant-based climate finance for loss and damage, and technical assistance for glacier monitoring. Developed nations reportedly blocked the bid to avoid financial obligations for compensation and adaptation.
While the formal agenda item was dropped from the negotiation paper, Nepali officials remain cautiously optimistic. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal emphasized that melting mountains cannot wait for negotiations to catch up with reality, while Joint Secretary Maheshwar Dhakal noted that some proposals might still appear in the final outcome document.
As world leaders departed the summit, technical negotiations began on a first draft of the cover decision, focusing on climate finance and the transition from fossil fuels. Parallel developments included the United Kingdom's appointment of Madeleine Alessandri as a climate security adviser and the announcement that China and India have both ruled out hosting the COP33 summit in 2028. Potential Asian bidders for COP33 now include Uzbekistan, Thailand, Korea, and Indonesia.
