PM Shah to champion climate justice at UNGA

Kathmandu, Sept. 11

Prime Minister Balendra Shah is set to draw the international community’s attention to the loss of lives and property Nepal has repeatedly suffered from climate change and climate-induced disasters.

He will call for climate justice, including immediate and appropriate compensation through mechanisms such as the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), while highlighting that Nepal is experiencing the adverse impacts of climate change despite its negligible carbon emissions.

PM Shah is leading a high-level Nepali delegation to the High-Level General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly scheduled in New York for 22-28 September. He is scheduled to address the General Debate on 24 September, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai informed during a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Friday.

This will be the first maiden foreign trip of PM Shah. He will stay in New York for five days – from 22 to 26 September.

"The Prime Minister will also appeal to developed and wealthy countries to provide accessible and concessional technology and climate finance to Nepal for building climate-resilient infrastructure, promoting climate-smart agriculture and strengthening the capacity of stakeholders," he said.

PM Shah will raise several issues at the General Assembly but his focus would be on climate change and its repercussions on the Himalayas and Nepali people who have recently experienced devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River that killed 1385 while leaving more than 5000 unaccounted for.

According to the Rapid Disaster and Needs Assessment (RDNA) conducted by the National Planning Commission and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, about Rs. 723.31 billion will be required for reconstruction of the structures and infrastructures damaged by the devastating floods.

About 75 per cent (Rs. 473.57 billion) of the total recovery needs, will be required to restore the infrastructure sector, which suffered the largest impact from the disaster. Houses, farm lands, hydropower projects, roads and motorable and suspension bridges, businesses and industries have swept away in the floods or damaged by it.

The Prime Minister is also expected to highlight Nepal’s contribution to global environmental protection through nature-friendly lifestyles, forests covering more than 46 per cent of its territory, the Himalayan region and extensive river systems.

"The disaster has further highlighted Nepal’s vulnerability to the climate crisis. Although Nepal makes a negligible contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, countries such as Nepal continue to bear a disproportionate share of the adverse impacts of climate change," said Rai.

During the UNGA, Nepal will organise a side event titled 'Sagarmatha to the Sea: A Call to Action for a Climate-Resilient Future'. According to Rai, the event will discuss the adverse impacts of global climate change, particularly in the Himalayan region, and the resulting disasters, with the aim of drawing international attention to the issue.

 

FM Khanal to have sideline meetings

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal will participate in ministerial meetings of the Least Developed Countries (LDC), Landlocked Developing Countries, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and G77 and China. He will also address other high-level discussions and side events organised by the United Nations.

The foreign minister will hold meetings with counterparts from neighbouring and other friendly countries, as well as senior UN officials.

The MoFA said that PM Shah is leading a small delegation that will include Foreign Minister Khanal, Prime Minister’s Chief Adviser Kumar Byanjankar, Foreign Secretary Rai and other senior government officials.

The theme of this year’s General Assembly is 'Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All'. Heads of state from 81 countries and heads of government from 50 countries, including Nepal, are scheduled to participate in the General Assembly.

"The General Assembly will provide Nepal an opportunity to call at the highest level for continued and increased international support and goodwill towards Nepal," said Rai.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 12 September 2026.