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By Our Reporter

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba is now in the Hague to participate at the ongoing hearing at the International Court of Justice ICJ.

She and the members of her delegation delivered oral statements at the ICJ’s public hearings on the ‘Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change’ on Monday.

Speaking before the Court, Foreign Minister Dr. Rana emphasised that, despite Nepal’s snow-capped mountains and glaciers playing a crucial role in maintaining climate balance, supporting ecosystems, and preserving biodiversity, they were increasingly threatened by the rapid effects of global warming and consequent climate change.

 “We are having to bear the brunt of the impacts of climate change in a disproportionate manner. In fact, we are paying for a bad ‘karma’ that we did not commit,” she said, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

She underscored the vulnerability Nepal faced due to its geographical circumstances and relatively low level of development and made a strong case for climate justice to ameliorate the harsh suffering the climate change has brought to the lives of Nepali people.

She called out the gross injustice that countries like Nepal were experiencing. “We have been penalised for the mistakes we never made, for the crimes we never committed,” she added.

Nepal’s position on the other aspects of State obligations regarding climate change was presented by Udaya Raj Sapkota, Secretary at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. while Suvanga Parajuli, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke on the legal consequences when the States fail to uphold their obligations regarding climate change.

 The oral proceedings are being held at the seat of the Court in The Hague, the Netherlands from December 2 to 12.

 The Foreign Minister’s participation at the ongoing hearing is the first-ever participation of Nepal in the ICJ, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.