Nepal's PM Shah to spotlight climate crisis in first UN address

KATHMANDU – Prime Minister Balendra Shah, 36, widely regarded as the world's youngest sitting national leader, is preparing to take the stage at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

A June 2026 study by the Pew Research Center, which examined the leaders of 186 UN member states, identified Shah as the youngest head of government currently in office. He intends to use the assembly, one of the largest diplomatic gatherings held each year, to draw attention to the climate crisis and the burden it places on vulnerable nations.

The speech forms part of Shah's first trip abroad since taking office on March 27.

Bhotekoshi disaster drives climate message

The recent flash floods along the Bhotekoshi river, along with the destruction they caused downstream, have moved the prime minister to raise the disaster before the UN's most prominent international forum. He plans to underline its heavy toll on human lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, hydropower and other parts of the economy.

As of September 23, the death toll from the flooding had climbed to 1,452, with rescue teams still searching for 4,718 people reported missing, among them several hundred foreign nationals.

Shah is set to speak during the General Debate of the 81st UN General Assembly on Thursday afternoon in New York, which falls just after midnight in Nepal on Friday. The UN's official schedule lists his session for 3pm New York time.

A call for global support

During his remarks, Shah is expected to detail the destruction wrought by the Bhotekoshi disaster and to stress how exposed Himalayan communities are to disasters fueled by a warming climate.

Nepal is likely to make the case that nations responsible for only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions should not shoulder the financial and human costs of a crisis they had little role in causing. Shah is expected to urge stronger international backing for disaster readiness, climate resilience, reconstruction and rehabilitation.

He is also anticipated to push for improved access to climate finance, technology and capacity-building assistance, alongside a functioning loss-and-damage mechanism that could help vulnerable countries without deepening their debt.

The disaster, which struck communities in Rasuwa and areas downstream, has lent fresh urgency to Nepal's climate diplomacy at this year's assembly. The country has appealed for international help with recovery, rehabilitation and rebuilding.

Shah is also expected to highlight the specific risks facing mountain nations, where rising temperatures, retreating glaciers, shifting rainfall patterns and other hazards endanger people, livelihoods and infrastructure.

Nepal's delegation in New York

The prime minister arrived in New York on Wednesday at the head of the Nepali delegation to the assembly. He is due to meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres during his visit.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has taken part in high-level meetings, side events and bilateral talks in New York since September 20.

This year's assembly carries the theme "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All." The General Debate runs from September 22 to 26 and again on September 28.

Shah's UN appearance comes almost six months into his term and represents his first foreign trip as prime minister. Traveling with him are Foreign Minister Khanal, Chief Adviser Kumar Byanjankar, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and other senior officials. The prime minister is scheduled to fly home on September 26.