Nepal PM to raise Bhotekoshi flood losses at UNGA climate debate

Kathmandu,UPDATED: Sep 11, 2026 18:40 IST

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah will use his address at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York later this month to highlight the impact of climate change on his country, including heavy loss of life and damage to property caused by recent disasters, a top official said on Friday.

Shah will visit the US from September 22 to 26 for the UNGA session, in what will be his first foreign visit since taking office in March. Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai said, "Prime Minister Shah is scheduled to address the General Debate on September 24, 2026."

Rai said Shah would raise the issue of climate change in the wake of the devastating Bhotekoshi flash floods of August 26. He said the losses suffered by Nepal in the disaster had once again shown that the country is on "the forefront of the crisis emerging from climate change". He added that countries such as Nepal face the harmful effects of carbon emissions despite contributing very little to greenhouse gas emissions.

"In this context, the Prime Minister will draw the attention of the global community towards climate change and the huge loss of life and property facing Nepal from time to time as its consequences," Rai said. He said Shah would also call on the international community for immediate and appropriate compensation from the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage and other organisations for climate justice. The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal, killing more than 1,300 people, while more than 5,000 remain missing. The disaster also caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure.

Rai said Nepal would urge the international community, especially rich and developed countries, to provide climate finance in a subsidised manner, along with necessary assistance and technical support for climate-resilient infrastructure, promotion of climate-smart agriculture and capacity building of concerned stakeholders. The theme of this year’s UNGA session is 'Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All'. Shah will lead a high-level Nepali delegation during the visit, which was endorsed by the Council of Ministers on Thursday.

According to Rai, the UNGA will also offer Nepal an "important opportunity" to present last year’s Gen-Z movement, the conduct of the general election, the present government, its priorities and other issues before the international community. It will also allow Nepal to seek continuity of international assistance and goodwill from a high-level forum. The 81st session of the UN General Assembly began on September 8, and world leaders are scheduled to address the 193-member body at the General Debate from September 22 to 28.

In sum, Shah’s visit to New York will centre on Nepal’s climate concerns after the Bhotekoshi flash floods, while also giving the country a platform to press for compensation, climate finance and continued international support.

With PTI Inputs

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