Lalitpur, February 25, 2025 - The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) officially launched the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Support Project today, reaffirming Nepal's commitment to combating climate change and enhancing institutional capacity for climate resilience.
The program was inaugurated by Hon’ble Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, Minister for Forests and Environment and Chairperson of NTNC. In his address, he underscored Nepal's proactive engagement with the GCF to address pressing environmental challenges. Dr. Deepak Kumar Kharal, Secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE), conveyed his best wishes, emphasizing the project’s significance for Nepal's climate agenda.
Dr. Naresh Subedi, NTNC Member Secretary, chaired the event and reiterated NTNC’s dedication to strengthening climate resilience. Dr. Maheshwor Dhakal, Joint Secretary of MoFE, highlighted the importance of stakeholder coordination, while Mr. Om Prakash Bhattarai, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, stressed the need for institutional readiness to effectively utilize climate financing mechanisms.
The event featured a detailed project briefing by Dr. Manish Raj Pandey, Head of NTNC’s Climate Change Department, outlining the project’s objectives to enhance Nepal's capacity to access and implement GCF-funded programs. The session was moderated by Ms. Lina Chalise, Senior Climate Change Officer at NTNC, who emphasized the project’s alignment with national climate priorities.
As an accredited entity for both the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund, NTNC aims to foster capacity-building and strengthen coordination among stakeholders to pave the way for sustainable climate action in Nepal.