Prime Minister Balen Shah to Attend UN General Assembly in New York, Raise Climate Impact of Nepal Floods

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balen Shah is set to travel to New York on Asoj 6 to attend and address the United Nations General Assembly, with Nepal’s growing climate-related risks expected to be a major focus of his visit.

Shah is scheduled to return to Nepal on Asoj 9, making the trip a short visit centered on Nepal’s participation in the high-level UN gathering.

Nepal’s Climate Crisis to Take Center Stage

The Prime Minister is expected to draw international attention to the impact of climate change on Nepal, particularly following the devastating Bhote Koshi floods, which caused major loss of life and widespread damage.

Nepal, a mountainous country highly vulnerable to floods, landslides, glacier-related risks and other climate impacts, has increasingly called for stronger international attention and support for climate-related disasters.

Shah's participation will provide an opportunity to present Nepal's experience directly at the UN and highlight the growing risks faced by vulnerable communities.

PM to Lead Nepal’s Delegation

The decision for Shah to attend the General Assembly comes after an earlier plan for Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal to lead Nepal’s delegation.

Following the devastating floods, the government decided that the Prime Minister himself would lead the delegation to New York.

The Nepali delegation is expected to include up to 10 members.

Short Visit to New York

Shah is scheduled to leave Nepal on Asoj 6 and return on Asoj 9.

Despite the short duration, the visit will give Nepal an opportunity to raise issues of national and international importance at one of the world's major diplomatic forums.

His address is expected to focus particularly on the consequences of climate change and the need for greater international attention toward countries such as Nepal that face serious climate risks despite contributing relatively little to global emissions.