Nepal calls for 'climate justice' at COP31 | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News - NHKニュース

Nepal's foreign minister has called for urgent measures to address the risks climate change poses to mountain regions, in a speech at the UN climate change conference in Turkey.

Shisir Khanal called for "climate justice" as he spoke at a plenary session on Monday, the opening day of COP31. He referred to the deadly mudslides that devastated parts of the Himalayan region along the Nepal-China border in August.

Khanal said, "Science confirms climate change had a role" in the disaster, adding that the changing climate is "transforming our lives, our landscapes and our future."

He said that although Nepal's contribution to global emissions is negligible, the Himalayas are "melting at breakneck speed."

Delegates from other countries also acknowledged that the flash floods were climate-related and called for accelerated efforts to address the problem.

The death toll from the disaster stood at about 1,500 on both sides of the border, as of the end of October. More than 5,700 people remain unaccounted for.