Nepal PM Balendra Shah to Raise Bhotekoshi Flood Losses at UNGA
Nepal PM Balendra Shah will seek climate justice, compensation and subsidised finance at the UNGA following devastating Bhotekoshi flash floods.
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah is set to use his address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly to highlight the country’s growing climate challenges and the devastating losses caused by recent disasters. Shah will address the General Debate on September 24 during his visit to New York from September 22 to 26.
The Bhotekoshi flash floods of August 26 will be a major focus of Nepal’s climate appeal. The disaster, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, caused widespread destruction across northern and central Nepal, with more than 1,300 people reported dead and over 5,000 still missing.
Nepal is expected to argue that countries with low greenhouse gas emissions are bearing a disproportionate share of the damage caused by global climate change. Shah will seek greater climate justice, including compensation through the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.
Nepal will also call on wealthy and developed nations to provide subsidised climate finance, technical assistance and support for building climate-resilient infrastructure. Assistance for climate-smart agriculture and capacity building will also be sought.
Shah’s UN visit will be his first foreign trip since taking office in March. Besides climate concerns, Nepal is expected to highlight its recent political developments, including the Gen-Z movement, the upcoming general election and priorities of the current government.
