Himalayas agenda left off COP31 formal list as major blocs withhold support: Nepal Foreign Minister

Antalya (Turkiye) An agenda item on the Himalayas proposed by Nepal, Bhutan and Kyrgyzstan has not been included in the formal list of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) after failing to secure the backing of the developed nations. Who gets to host a COP, and does it matter?

| Explained storyline 1 The COP 31 commenced on Monday (November 9, 2026) in Antalya, Turkiye. Agenda items refer to the list of topics that are formally taken up for discussion at the conference every year.

Speaking to PTI at COP31, Shisir Khanal, Nepal's Minister of Foreign Affairs, said on Tuesday (November 10, 2026) that the three countries would continue to face challenges in getting the issue formally recognised without the support of major countries.