Prez Paudel meets Azerbaijan's Justice Minister; highlights climate change as major problem

BAKU: President Ramchandra Paudel has identified climate change as the world's major problem. He made this remark during a meeting with Azerbaijan's Minister for Justice, Farid Turab Ahmadov, in Baku today.

President Paudel emphasised that COP29 should urge developed countries to reduce carbon emissions, invest in the climate fund, and provide financial support to developing countries that are disproportionately affected by climate change despite their minimal carbon emissions, according to the President's Press Advisor, Kiran Pokharel.

Azerbaijan's Minister for Justice, Ahmadov, echoed this sentiment, stating that addressing the needs of developing countries is a primary agenda at COP29. He noted that while Azerbaijan does not have tall mountains like Nepal, it is experiencing water source depletion due to rapid snow melt.

President Paudel arrived in Baku this afternoon, leading a high-level Nepali delegation to attend the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Upon arrival at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, he was warmly welcomed by Minister Ahmadov.

The President's entourage includes First Lady Sabita Paudel, key advisors, experts, and senior government officials. Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi had previously arrived in Baku to participate in COP29.

During the convention, President Paudel is scheduled to address a high-level session of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, a key event within COP29. He will also moderate a separate high-level session on behalf of Nepal to highlight its specific climate change agenda.

COP29 officially began today and will continue until November 21 while President Paudel will return home on November 15