KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held a courtesy meeting today at his residence, Baluwatar, with Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, Executive Director of The Board of the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), for responding to climate change impacts.

During the meeting, PM Oli thanked Diong for participating in the first series of the Sagarmatha Sambaad and emphasized the critical need to protect the Himalayas and the environment to ensure human security.

He expressed concern over some wealthy countries trying to backtrack on the Paris Agreement, stressing that protecting Nepal’s pride—the Himalayas—is equally important for Nepal and the world.

Executive Director Diong congratulated Nepal for hosting the important Sagarmatha Sambaad and assured that the fund would prioritize countries like Nepal when allocating resources in the future.

The meeting was also attended by Krishna Prasad Dhakal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Maheshwar Dhakal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment.

FRLD was established based on COP-27 decisions to assist developing countries suffering from the impacts of climate change.

The fund’s board comprises 26 members from Paris Agreement signatories, 12 from developed countries, and 14 from developing countries.

Dr. Krishna Prasad Dhakal serves as an invited board member representing least developed countries.