Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah addressed the UN General Assembly on Thursday, urgently warning world leaders about the devastating effects of climate change, just four weeks after catastrophic flash floods struck his country.
“I wish I could stand here today simply to speak about development, democracy, peace and the hopes of a young nation. Instead, I must speak about death and destruction of epic proportions,” Shah stated during his speech.
He emphasised that the dangers of climate change are a global issue, calling for increased international cooperation to protect the Himalayas. “The Himalayas are not peripheral to the planet. They are part of the planet’s life-support system,” he declared, advocating for a “Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism” to be jointly operated by Nepal, India, and China.
This mechanism would facilitate the sharing of satellite data and expertise, aiding in the monitoring of glacial lakes that threaten local communities. Shah also called for enhanced early-warning systems and coordinated disaster response efforts across borders. “Let the Himalayas become a laboratory of international cooperation, rather than a frontier of fragmented information,” he urged.
Shah pointed out that Nepal contributes less than 0.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet is facing severe consequences. “We did not create this crisis. Yet we are paying a colossal price for it,” he noted, clarifying that he was not blaming any specific nation or continent. He urged a collective commitment to shared responsibility: “We are not here to turn climate change into another geopolitical battlefield.”
Additionally, Shah appealed for grant-based support for flood recovery rather than loans, emphasising the need for “Responsibility, Reparation and Resilience.” He argued that vulnerable nations should not incur more debt as they recover from climate-related disasters. “When a climate-driven disaster destroys the infrastructure of a poor country, the answer cannot simply be another mega loan or a patchwork of small grants. We need adequate grant-based support from the world,” he asserted.
At 36, Shah is the youngest leader to address the UN General Assembly at its 81st session.
