From Sagarmatha to the Sea: Nepal Will Take Its Climate Crisis to the United Nations

KATHMANDU, NEPAL, SEPTEMBER 13, 2026

Nepal Will Take Its Climate Concerns to the United Nations

Nepal will host “Sagarmatha to the Sea: A Call to Action for a Climate-Resilient Future” during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, as part of a high-level delegation led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah. The event is being organised to highlight the growing effects of climate change on the Himalayan region, communities and ecosystems, while strengthening Nepal’s call for greater international support for countries facing severe climate impacts despite contributing relatively little to global emissions.

Why ‘Sagarmatha to the Sea’?

The title reflects Nepal’s effort to connect the climate challenges facing the Himalayas with their wider effects on people and ecosystems beyond the mountains.

The government has said the event will focus on the adverse impacts of global climate change, particularly in the Himalayan region, and the devastating consequences arising from those changes.

Bhotekoshi Disaster Adds Urgency

Nepal’s climate message comes shortly after the devastating Bhotekoshi flood of August 26, which caused major human and infrastructure losses.

The disaster has strengthened Nepal’s argument that climate vulnerability is not a distant concern but an immediate national challenge affecting lives, settlements, infrastructure and development.

Prime Minister Balen Shah Will Lead Nepal’s Delegation

Prime Minister Balendra Shah will lead Nepal’s high-level delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shah is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on September 24, where Nepal’s climate vulnerability and broader national priorities are expected to feature prominently.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal Will Join High-Level Meetings

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal will also play a major diplomatic role during the UN General Assembly.

He is scheduled to participate in ministerial meetings involving the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, Non-Aligned Movement, and G77 and China, as well as other high-level UN discussions.

Bilateral Meetings Are Also Planned

Khanal is also expected to hold meetings with foreign ministers, diplomatic counterparts and senior United Nations officials.

These discussions will give Nepal an opportunity to raise issues related to climate vulnerability, development, international cooperation and the concerns of developing and landlocked countries.

Nepal Will Push for Climate Justice

A major part of Nepal’s message will be its call for climate justice.

Nepal has repeatedly argued that countries contributing relatively little to global greenhouse-gas emissions should not be left to carry the full human and economic cost of climate-related disasters.

The government is expected to raise the need for stronger access to Loss and Damage support, climate finance, technology and resources for climate-resilient development.

Climate Finance Is a Key Concern

Nepal will also stress the need for climate finance to become more accessible to vulnerable countries.

Such support is important for areas including climate-resilient infrastructure, disaster preparedness, climate-smart agriculture and stronger institutional capacity to deal with future climate risks.

Why LDC and LLDC Platforms Matter

Nepal’s participation in meetings of Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries is closely connected to its climate concerns.

As both a developing and landlocked country, Nepal faces structural challenges that can become even more severe when disasters damage roads, bridges, agriculture, energy projects and other critical infrastructure.

A Global Platform for Nepal’s Mountain Concerns

The UN General Assembly will give Nepal an opportunity to take its mountain-climate concerns directly to the international community.

Through “Sagarmatha to the Sea,” Nepal will seek to show that climate change in the Himalayas is not only a mountain issue but a wider challenge affecting communities, ecosystems and development.

Nepal Wants Stronger Global Action

Nepal’s message at the United Nations will centre on a simple argument: countries that have contributed little to the climate crisis are already facing serious consequences.

By raising the issue at the UN General Assembly, Nepal will seek stronger international cooperation, finance and support to protect vulnerable communities and build a more climate-resilient future.