Five Nepali ministers attend COP31 in Turkey, raising questions over size of delegation

Five Nepali ministers have travelled to Antalya, Turkey, to attend the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), prompting questions over whether all of them needed to be present at the international gathering. The conference, which has been underway for five days, has brought together government representatives and experts from around the world. Nepal has sent Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Environment Geeta Chaudhary as its official political representatives, while three other ministers have also attended various sessions and side events.

Foreign Minister Khanal is scheduled to return to Nepal on Saturday. Chaudhary will represent the country in the sessions that follow. Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel left for Turkey on Friday to participate in COP-related programmes.

Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle is already attending the conference, while Health Minister Nisha Mehta visited the conference venue before travelling to Sri Lanka for a programme. She returned to Nepal on Thursday.