IOM supports government to strengthen capacity for climate change negotiations

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Nepal, in collaboration with the Ministry of Forest and Environment, organised a three-day capacity building training on climate change negotiations for Government Officials from 25 to 27 January. The initiative aimed to enhance Nepal’s preparedness and strategic engagement in international climate negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Nepal is among the countries most vulnerable to impacts of climate change due to its fragile ecosystems and an economy highly dependent on climate-sensitive sectors such as tourism, agriculture, water resources, and forestry, according to a press note issued by the IOM. "As climate-related hazards intensify, they are increasing economic stress, disrupting livelihoods, and slowing developmental progress," it reads, adding that these pressures are also directly impacting climate-induced displacement across communities. "Despite this growing scale and complexity of climate-related mobility, global climate governance and policies have not yet fully integrated into these issues, limiting opportunities for comprehensive and people-centred climate action."
IOM Chief of Mission in Nepal Helene Fors, on the occasion, echoed the importance of strengthened advocacy on the concerning issue of climate mobility in Nepal on global platforms. “Together, we can ensure that Nepal’s voice, particularly on climate vulnerability, climate finance, and human mobility is clearly heard on the global stage,” she said.
The training brought together government officials from key institutions, including Ministry of Forests and Environment; Ministry of Home Affairs; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security; National Planning Commission; National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority; and National Human Rights Commission and others.
The programme focused on enhancing participants’ understanding of substantive and procedural issues under the UNFCCC process, strengthening inter- ministerial coordination and collaboration, promoting knowledge-sharing and building practical negotiation skills. Particular emphasis was placed on the nexus between climate change, environmental degradation, and human mobility.
This initiative lays a foundation for more future initiatives to strengthen national climate action response through an informed, coordinated and strategically prepared national negotiation team, supporting effective participation and influence in upcoming UNFCCC processes, including the Bonn Climate Sessions, the 31st Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP31), and future negotiations.
Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment Maheshwar Dhakal, on the occasion, encouraged participants to make full use of the three-day training and further enhance their negotiation skills, noting that “Negotiation is a vital skill, not only within the context of climate change and the UNFCCC process, but also in our everyday lives."
Through this capacity-building initiative, IOM reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nepal in addressing critical intersections of climate change, human mobility and sustainable development, while advancing the recognition and integration of human mobility considerations within national climate action and policy frameworks.
This event was organised under the project 'Nepal: Promoting a Human Security and Gender Equality- Based Approach to Migration and Adaptation to Climate Change,' supported by the IOM Development Fund. It aligns with the project’s overarching objective of supporting Nepal in responding to the challenges across the Migration, Environment and Climate Change nexus.