Kathmandu : President Ramchandra Paudel and visiting Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, have held a courtesy meeting today.

In the courtesy meeting held at Shital Niwas, President Paudel stated that the climate change has been a matter of global concern and called for a concerted international effort to address it.

“The climate change has become a burning global issue. Nepal, the most vulnerable country to climate change, has been advocating for the mountain protection on various international forums,” Press Advisor Kiran Pokharel quoted the President as saying.

President informed Prince Edward that Nepal is going to hold an event titled ‘Sagarmatha Sambad’ in order to address the climate change issue. The first edition of this event is set to be held in Kathmandu on May 16-18.

Recalling the historic Nepal visits by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip in 1960 and 1986, respectively, Paudel said that such British royal visits have further cemented the Nepal-UK ties.

President Paudel also extended best wishes to King Charles on behalf of Nepal and its people, wishing him good health, happiness, and well-being.

Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and his wife Sophie arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday. British Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn and Sophie were present during the courtesy meeting.

During the meeting, Prince Edward expressed belief that he would learn more about the climate change, its impact on the Nepali mountains and the country’s efforts to mitigate it during his Nepal visit.

Prince Edward suggested that focusing Nepal-UK cooperation on youth and women’s empowerment would be relevant in the future.

Meanwhile, he acknowledged the significant role of the British Gurkha Army in fostering friendly relations between Nepal and the UK, and expressed gratitude to the Nepali government for its continued allowance of Nepali youth recruitment into the British Army.

On the occasion, Major General Gerald Strickland, head of the British Army’s Gurkha Brigade, presented the President with the Brigade of Gurkhas’ annual report for 2024.