Kathmandu, July 1
Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba has urged the international community to extend support in the areas of climate finance and sustainable agriculture, particularly for Nepal and countries with similar mountainous terrains.
Speaking at the 44th General Assembly of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome on Monday, Minister Rana called for grant-based international climate financing, especially for Nepal’s highland regions, which are bearing the brunt of the climate crisis.
“The mountainous regions of Nepal and other similar countries are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Yet, these areas have long been overlooked in climate financing and adaptation efforts. It is crucial that global stakeholders recognize and address this gap,” she emphasized.
Highlighting agriculture as the backbone of Nepal’s economy, Dr. Rana noted that the sector contributes 23 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), with nearly two-thirds of the population reliant on farming for their livelihoods.
She underscored the sector’s pivotal role in ensuring food security, improving nutrition, alleviating poverty, and driving rural development.
Dr. Rana also voiced concern over the world’s failure to achieve the goal of eradicating hunger by 2030, citing ongoing challenges such as pandemics, climate change, economic instability, and geopolitical tensions.
“Sustainable and resilient mountain agriculture is not only vital for the livelihoods of our people, but also for the preservation of global biodiversity, food security, and the Earth’s ecological balance,” she stated.
Minister Rana further expressed Nepal’s commitment to enhancing farmers’ access to early warning systems and sought greater collaboration with the FAO in promoting sustainable agricultural practices in mountainous regions. She also stressed the need for knowledge-sharing on successful practices that increase the participation and leadership of women and youth in agriculture.
Reiterating Nepal’s dedication to advancing innovative and effective agricultural strategies, she called for support in expanding the ‘Four Betters’ approach: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.
