Kathmandu, Nov 29: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ is set to depart for Dubai tonight, leading the Nepali delegation to the 28th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28). The UN Climate Change Conference is scheduled to be held in Dubai from November 30 to December 12.

Accompanied by his daughter Ganga Dahal, Minister for Forest and Environment Dr. Birendra Prasad Mahato, and other senior government officials, the Prime Minister’s entourage will fly to Dubai on a Nepal Airlines flight at 9:30 pm.

During the event, Prime Minister Prachanda is scheduled to participate in the High-level Segment of COP 28-World Climate Action Summit, taking place from December 1 to 2. On December 2, he will deliver a national statement, addressing Nepal’s stance on climate change.

Apart from the COP proceedings, Prime Minister Dahal will attend the 52nd Union Day Celebration of the United Arab Emirates and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony hosted by the UAE.

In a notable move to spotlight Nepal’s concerns about climate change, Prime Minister Dahal will host a high-level side event on December 2, titled “Call of the Mountain: Who Saves Us from the Climate Crisis?” This initiative aims to raise Nepal’s voice on climate change issues and promote the mountain agenda in the COP negotiation process.

On the sidelines of the High-Level Segment, the Prime Minister is slated to hold bilateral meetings with heads of state, heads of government, and other high dignitaries attending the Conference. Additionally, he is scheduled to visit the Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi, interact with the Nepali community, and address the Nepal-UAE Business Summit.

The official visit concludes on December 3 when Prime Minister Prachanda is expected to return home. This engagement underlines Nepal’s commitment to global climate action and its active participation in international forums addressing environmental challenges.