Kathmandu: Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah is expected to lead the country’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly this month, with climate change, extreme weather and the devastating impact of recent floods likely to feature prominently in his address.
The Nepalese Cabinet approved Shah’s participation at a meeting on Thursday, according to officials familiar with preparations for the visit. The decision represents a change from an earlier plan under which Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal was expected to represent Nepal at the annual UN gathering.
Preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit to New York are now underway. Officials said Shah is expected to arrive shortly before his scheduled address and depart soon after his engagements. His delegation is likely to include his adviser Kumar Byanjankar and members of the media.
The visit would mark Shah’s first overseas engagement since taking charge as Nepal’s executive head on March 27.
Recent floods bring climate vulnerability into focus
Shah’s expected appearance at the UN comes against the backdrop of severe flooding that has highlighted Nepal’s vulnerability to increasingly intense weather events.
The deadly Bhotekoshi flood on August 26 caused significant loss of life and affected more than 1.6 million people downstream, according to officials. The disaster has added urgency to Nepal’s efforts to draw international attention to the growing climate risks facing Himalayan communities.
Nepal is particularly exposed to flash floods, landslides, changing precipitation patterns and other extreme weather events. Mountain settlements are vulnerable to disasters while millions living downstream can face the consequences of sudden flooding and disruptions to critical infrastructure.
Officials have indicated that Shah is likely to use the UN platform to underline these concerns and call for stronger international cooperation. The final text of his address, however, has not yet been released.
Foreign minister had initially been chosen
Before the latest Cabinet decision, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal had been expected to lead Nepal’s delegation to New York. His participation was approved by the government on August 19.
Khanal had earlier said the possibility of Shah attending the General Assembly was being examined because of the importance of the issues Nepal wanted to raise before the international community.
At the same time, the government had been weighing the need for the Prime Minister to remain in Nepal amid the country’s disaster situation. The latest decision has now shifted preparations towards Shah’s participation.
Nepal seeks greater global attention to Himalayan risks
Climate vulnerability is expected to remain a central concern for Nepal as the country seeks greater international recognition of the challenges faced by Himalayan nations.
The government is likely to draw a connection between recent disasters and broader changes in weather patterns, while emphasising the need for stronger preparedness, disaster-resilient infrastructure and international support.
For Nepal, the UN General Assembly provides an important diplomatic platform to highlight how climate-related disasters can have consequences far beyond individual communities, particularly in a region where environmental changes affect water resources, agriculture, livelihoods and food security.
UN General Assembly set to begin
The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly is scheduled to formally open on September 8, while the high-level General Debate is expected to begin on September 22.
Shah’s expected participation would give Nepal an opportunity to place its climate concerns directly before world leaders at a time when extreme weather events are increasingly shaping international discussions on climate adaptation and resilience.
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