Environment Diplomacy Division set up at MoFA

Kathmandu, Sept. 20

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has established an Environment Diplomacy Division to make diplomatic efforts related to climate and environmental issues more institutionalised and effective.

"The ministry decided to establish the division in response to the growing impacts of climate change and in recognition of the need to address these issues in line with current priorities," it said in a statement on Sunday.

Based on an Organisational and Management (O&M) Survey conducted by the ministry, the division has been established under the Economic, Social Development and Environment Diplomacy Section, which falls within the United Nations and Specialised Agencies Division. The new section will be headed by a joint secretary.

"Nepal has been actively participating in national, regional and international forums on climate change and environmental protection. The Environment Diplomacy Section has been established at the MoFA to advance these efforts in a more coordinated and institutionalised manner," read the statement.

According to the MoFA, the new section will facilitate international diplomatic initiatives related to climate and environmental issues and coordinate with relevant national agencies.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said that climate diplomacy should not be limited to participation in international conferences and events but should be pursued as a long-term institutional priority.

“Nepal has been continuously working on climate diplomacy at various international forums. Now, there is a need to take this forward in a more institutionalised manner,” he said. “Climate diplomacy cannot be advanced simply by focusing on participation in events from one UN Climate Change Conference (COP) to the next, or on participation in other programmes.”

He said climate diplomacy must be institutionalised, adding that the Environment Diplomacy Section had been established at the ministry for the time being, with the country's long-term interests at the centre.

Minister Khanal said work would initially be carried out through the section and that its institutional structure could be further strengthened in the future based on requirements and workload.

He also stressed that climate diplomacy should not be pursued only in response to the impacts of climate change and disaster-related events, but that priorities and initiatives in climate diplomacy should be advanced on a regular basis.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 21 September 2026.