Balendra Shah to address UNGA on climate and disaster aid

KATHMANDU – In his first appearance at a United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Balendra Shah plans to use the platform to spotlight Nepal’s climate‑induced disaster challenges. The flood that hit central Nepal on August 26 killed more than 1,400 people, left over 6,000 missing and crippled roads, bridges and power lines.

During the 81st UNGA session, Shah will call for a bolstered international response, urging donor nations to fund climate‑adaptation projects and immediate humanitarian relief. He also intends to engage UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres in a one‑on‑one discussion about scaling up disaster‑risk reduction mechanisms for vulnerable mountain nations.

The prime minister’s delegation includes senior advisers and officials who will hold parallel meetings with UN bodies, NGOs, and bilateral partners. Their goal is to secure pledges that can fast‑track reconstruction and enhance early‑warning systems across Nepal’s flood‑prone regions.