Executive Director of UN Fund for Loss and Damage Diong calls on PM Oli
Visiting Executive Director of the United Nations Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage Ibrahima Cheikh Diong paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at the latter's official residence in Baluwatar on Sunday.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister thanked him for taking part in the first edition of the Sagarmatha Dialogue. "In absence of the protection of mountains and environment, the entire human life will be insecure," he said, adding that this should be the matter of global concern.
Expressing his concern over 'intention' demonstrated by some of the rich countries to step back from the Paris Agreement, the Prime Minister said the protection of Sagarmatha, the pride of Nepal, and the mountains should be the concern of the globe including Nepal.
The executive director congratulated Nepal on the successful conclusion of the Sagarmatha Sambaad, promising to give priority to Nepal while allocating funds.
The Fund aiming to support the developing countries bearing the brunt of climate change followed the decision of the COP-27.
First edition of Sagarmatha Sambaad concludes issuing 25-point Sagarmatha Call for Action
The first edition of the Sagarmatha Sambaad concluded today by issuing a 25-point Sagarmatha Call for Action.
The three-day event held in Kathmandu from May 16 to 18 May, was themed “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity”.
The full text of the Sagarmatha Call for Action is given here.
This Sagarmatha Call for Action is issued as an outcome document:
Recognising that climate change is an unprecedented challenge and that the well-being of present and future generations of humankind depends on immediate and urgent response;
Reaffirming the commitments to implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
Recalling the United Nations General Assembly resolution 77/158 of December 14, which declared 2025 as the “International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation” and proclaimed 21 March as the “World Day for Glaciers” to be observed annually;
Recalling also the United Nations General Assembly resolution 77/172 of December 14, 2022, which proclaimed 2023–2027 as the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions, reaffirming the international community’s commitment to sustainable mountain development as part of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda;
Recognising the role of mountain glaciers in regulating hydrological cycles and providing essential environmental services to mountain communities and the billions who live downstream in glacier-fed river basins;
Acknowledging the urgency to maintain environmental integrity as mountain glaciers and cryosphere are receding, putting pressure on snow-fed river systems that constitute the lifeline to species, ecosystems and genetic resources;
Recognising that loss of glaciers, snow and ice sheets due to climate change will have severe negative impacts on both natural and human systems, if allowed to continue, ultimately threatening the well-being of humanity;
Realising the essential role of mountain ecosystems to safeguard civilisational heritages, species, biodiversity and genetic resources, while also ensuring reliable supplies of freshwater, clean air and the sustainable livelihoods;
Recognising that loss of mountain glaciers, besides also contributing to sea-level rise, lead to cascading effects such as landslides, floods, droughts and extreme weather events, adversely impacting mountainous to low-lying countries; and that, while mountain communities contribute negligibly to global greenhouse gases emissions, they continue to bear a disproportionate level of such climate impacts;
Recognising further the critical role of mountains in ensuring water security and maintaining climate-resilient agriculture and food security, clean energy, nature-based tourism, and of effective governance in driving transformation towards a sustainable mountain economy;
Do hereby:
- Reaffirm the urgency to hold the increase in the global average temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by accelerating mitigation actions, building adaptive capacity and resilience, addressing loss and damage, and strengthening partnerships to ensure a sustainable future for all.
2. Encourage countries to set ambitious emissions reduction targets in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) 3.0 to keep 1.5°C alive, aligned with the latest science that calls for urgent and transformative global action.
3. Further encourage countries to develop and implement National Adaptation Plans to respond to country – specific adaptation needs.
4. Call for enhanced provision and mobilization of international financial support, particularly through grants and concessional financing for implementation of climate actions in developing countries, including countries in special situations.
5. Encourage collective efforts to ensure equitable and simplified access for the developing countries, particularly those vulnerable to climate change, to the international climate finance from bilateral, multilateral and alternative sources, including the operating entities of the Financial Mechanisms and the Funds under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
6. Support the call for the establishment of a dedicated fund for the development of mountain countries to mobilise targeted financial resources for climate action and sustainable development in mountainous regions.
7. Priorities the recognition, respect, and rewarding of mountain ecosystem services through leveraging existing and innovative financing sources.
8. Emphasise the role of private sector finance and carbon markets in scaling up sustainable climate actions.
9. Strengthen global and regional partnerships to facilitate access to climate-friendly technologies and enhance capacity building.
10. Reaffirm the need for collaboration among the policymakers, scientific institutions, private sector and other relevant stakeholders to drive innovation and mutual learning to formulate appropriate policies and programs that address the inherent vulnerabilities to climate change.
11. Acknowledge the importance of promoting green, resilient and inclusive development, ranging from small to large-scale infrastructures, in both rural and urban communities, as appropriate.
12. Stress the significance of clean energy, energy efficiency and just energy transitions, recognising the importance of powering the future through clean energy as well as green, circular and bio-economies.
13. Promote science, technology and innovation-based solutions for addressing climate-induced disasters, and conserving glaciers, water resources, forests and agricultural system.
14. Encourage dialogues on mountains and climate change agenda with special focus on triple planetary crisis and short-lived climate forcers, given their profound impact on regional climate, monsoons, cryosphere and public health.
15. Recognise the urgency of strengthening data systems, ensuring data sharing and interoperability, and developing climate attribution and early warning mechanisms tailored to the needs of developing countries.
16. Underscore the need to establish a robust linkage between mountain and ocean-specific risk assessment, monitoring, and early warning systems using advanced science, technology, and innovation.
17. Promote climate justice across all climate actions by ensuring fair, inclusive and evidence-based solutions to the developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change.
18. Foster inclusive climate actions through active participation of children, youth, women, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and maintain gender balance while upholding intra- and inter-generational equity.
19. Call to initiate the creation of a multi-stakeholder international platform on mountain and climate change for dialogue, innovation and empowerment, with the aim of amplifying the voices of mountain communities in global climate processes.
20. Recognise the role of local and indigenous communities in climate policies, programmes and actions, including adaptation and conservation initiatives.
21. Emphasize the need to develop mechanisms for payment of environmental services, enabling them to adopt innovative climate financing.
22. Emphasize the need for developing knowledge centres, sharing best practices, and enhancing the roles of local communities in climate policies, programmes and actions.
23. Resolve to forge a common voice for urgent climate action that resonates from the Sagarmatha to the seas, and from highlands to islands.
24. Acknowledge the relevance of the theme of the first edition of the Sagarmatha Sambaad in highlighting the adverse impacts of climate change from mountains to lowlands; forging common understanding and actions to uplift communities in vulnerable situations; and reaffirming commitment to continue working for a just, resilient and sustainable future for all.
25. Express appreciation to all the dignitaries and delegates for attending the Sagarmatha Sambaad, a permanent forum to foster global dialogue on key issues of national, regional and global significance and look forward to its continuity ahead.
Many injured as Mexican Navy ship crashes into Brooklyn Bridge
At least 22 people have been injured and three remain in a serious condition after a Mexican Navy training ship crashed into New York City's Brooklyn Bridge, BBC reported.
Footage shows the towering masts of the Cuauhtémoc clipping the bridge as the sailing vessel was passing under the famous structure on Saturday evening.
Parts of the masts reportedly fell on the deck. The injuries were sustained because some members of the crew were standing on the masts at the time of collision, authorities said.
More than 200 people were on board the vessel, which was on a goodwill visit. Local media reports say the ship reportedly lost power before the collision, according to BBC.
Rain likely in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces
Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur today at a few places of Koshi, Madesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces.
This is because the weather will remain partly to generally cloudy in those provinces due to the influence of westerly winds and local winds. There is also a partial influence of water vapor-rich air from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.
Furthermore, there are chances of light rainfall and snowfall at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous region of the country. Wind gust is likely at a few places of Madesh Province along with the terai region of Koshi, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces.
Later tonight, the weather will continue to remain partly to generally cloudy in Koshi, Madesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces along with the hilly regions of the country and mainly fair to partly cloudy in the rest of the country. Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi, Madesh, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces along with terai region of the rest of the Province and one or two places of the rest of the country.
There are chances of light rainfall and snowfall at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous region of the country.
Three bills to be presented in Parliament today
The House of Representatives meeting is scheduled to be held at 11 am today.
As per the agenda of the day, a proposal seeking endorsement of the House to send the 'Nepal Aviation Services Authority Bill, 2081' to the concerned committee for clause-wise discussion will be presented.
Similarly, a proposal to send the 'Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Bill, 2081' to the concerned committee for clause-wise discussion will be tabled. Both these bills are likely to be presented by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey.
Similarly, Minister for Education, Science and Technology Raghuji Pant will present a proposal to discuss the 'Dasarath Chand University of Health Sciences Bill, 2080' that originated in the National Assembly along with the report of the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee.
Along with discussions on these bills there is an agenda to endorse them as well, said Padma Prasad Pandey, General Secretary of the Federal Parliament Secretariat.
PSG beat Auxerre, St Etienne relegated on final day of Ligue 1
Paris St Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored twice in the second half as the Ligue 1 champions came from behind to beat Auxerre 3-1 to end their season on a winning note after falling behind to a Lassine Sinayoko strike, BBC reported.
At the other end of the table, St Etienne were beaten 3-2 at home by Toulouse and will join already-relegated Montpellier in Ligue 2 next season after finishing second from bottom, while a late penalty lifted Le Havre to a 3-2 win over Strasbourg and 15th place, leaving Reims to finish 16th and a promotion/relegation playoff against FC Metz.
PSG finished on 84 points, 19 ahead of runners-up Olympique de Marseille and 23 ahead of third-placed AS Monaco, who both qualify directly for the Champions League group stage, while OGC Nice thumped Brest 6-0 to finish fourth and enter that competition in the third qualifying round.
PSG may have won the title in early April with six games left to play, but there was still plenty of drama on the season’s final day as European, relegation and playoff places were decided, according to BBC.
Canada PM Carney reaffirms support for Ukraine in first meeting with Zelenskiy
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday reaffirmed the country's support for Ukraine in his first face-to-face meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy since winning the election, BBC reported.
"Canadian people will stand in steadfast and unwavering support ... we underscore that there can be no peace without the full support and participation of Ukraine, and that you have our absolute support," Carney told Zelenskiy.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would speak to the presidents of Russia and Ukraine on Monday.
Carney also met other world leaders, including his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, President of Italy Sergio Mattarella and European Commission President Ursula von de Leyen ahead of the G7 summit in Canada in June, according to BBC.
Israel airstrike kills at least 24 in Gaza as mediators host ceasefire talks
An Israeli airstrike killed at least 24 Palestinians in a tent encampment housing displaced families in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, local health authorities said on Sunday, as mediators hosted a new round of talks between Israel and Hamas, BBC reported.
Israel expanded its military offensive in the enclave and ramped up bombing that has killed hundreds of people over the past 72 hours.
The Gaza health ministry said Israeli strikes in the past few days had killed hundreds of Palestinians despite a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to the region.
Hamas described the strike as a "new brutal crime" in a statement on Sunday and blamed the U.S. administration for the escalation.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the latest strikes but it said in an earlier statement that it was conducting extensive strikes in areas of Gaza as part of its plan to reach its war objectives, according to BBC.
