Climate activists have staged protests in Kathmandu on Friday demanding $5 trillion in climate reparations for the Global South countries.
The protest held in Kathmandu is part of a larger series of simultaneous protests that are also being held in other Asian countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Speaking on the occasion, Ram Subedi, from the NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN), said historically rich and industrialized nations are the leading emitter of planet-warming greenhouse gasses.
“The historically rich and industrialized nations are the leading emitter of planet-warming greenhouse gasses, making their elites, corporations, and government primarily responsible for the climate crisis,” said Subedi.
Following the protest, the delegation met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Bishnu Prasad Paudel and submitted the memorandum requesting the government to bring forth the people's voices during international negotiations related to climate finance.
In response, Deputy Prime Minister Paudel expressed his commitment to champion the cause, recognizing its importance for Nepal and the Global South.
Extreme heat in South and Southeast Asia in the first half of the year has closed schools, disrupted food production, and collapsed power grids. In southern Pakistan, 568 people died in the past six days due to heat stroke.
“The 2024 has been a devastating year for those at the frontlines of the climate crisis,” says APMDD coordinator Lidy Nacpil.
These protests are coordinated by the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD) and its member organizations in each respective country.
