Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah spoke today at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, urging stronger international efforts to tackle climate change. He emphasized the need for more support for vulnerable countries and for creating fair global systems.
In his speech in New York , Shah used the recent floods in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli regions of Nepal to illustrate the increasing threats from climate change in the Himalayan area. “I come here from Nepal, a distant country in the Himalayas, bringing an important message for all of us,” he said.
He pointed out that the floods have destroyed bridges, roads, schools, and homes, which has set back progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. He recalled that UN Secretary General António Guterres visited Nepal nearly three years ago and warned about the climate crisis while standing at the foot of Mount Everest. However, those warnings have not led to the necessary actions as quickly as they should have, Shah said.
“We, the political leaders of the world, have failed to act at the pace and scale needed for vulnerable people,” he admitted.
Shah also called for cooperation on climate issues in the Himalayas, noting the danger posed by rising temperatures that destabilize the Himalayan ecosystem, leading to more landslides, floods, and avalanches. He suggested creating a Himalayan climate resilience system led by Nepal, India, and China.
This initiative would involve sharing satellite data and technical knowledge among the three countries. They would also monitor dangerous glacial lakes, improve early warning systems, and coordinate help after disasters.
“This should be a historic moment for us to turn the Himalayas from a place of scattered information into an example of international cooperation,” Shah stated. The Hindu Kush Himalaya region is vital as it provides water, agriculture, ecosystems, and livelihoods for nearly two billion people.
Nepal is asking for more help with climate finance. Even though Nepal only makes up less than 0.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is facing serious climate issues. The glaciers are melting, the mountains are becoming unstable, and the rivers are becoming harder to predict. Prime Minister Shah said, “For Nepal, climate disaster isn’t just about helping people; it’s a matter of our development.”
He emphasized that “we need much more international support through grants” because the current methods of funding for climate change are not enough.
Shah expressed his disappointment with the results of COP27, especially concerning the most vulnerable countries and the effectiveness of funds like the Loss and Damage Fund and the Global Environment Facility. He shared these thoughts while attending an African Union summit on climate change in Cairo.
“It’s crucial for us to remind everyone involved about the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, which will guide our global efforts to fight climate change,” he noted.
He also stated, “Climate finance shouldn’t be such a complicated process that countries in need have to prove their case for years.”
Shah called for countries that have contributed more to climate issues, as well as those with greater resources, to increase their support now.
In his UN speech, Shah addressed the problems caused by wars and global tensions. He pointed out, “While military equipment moves easily across borders, our farmers struggle to access basic needs like fertilizer and fuel.” He added, “We have created a system that works perfectly for war but fails for food.”
“We need to act immediately,” he stressed. “Countries like Nepal and others in South Asia are dealing with the effects of climate change and global conflicts, even though they didn’t cause these problems.”
Nepal has many challenges in its cooperation with the world, as someone pointed out to me.
Six main focuses for climate action
“The first step is to provide relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction,” he said. But he stressed there’s also an urgent need for those in charge to take responsibility, make reparations, and build resilience otherwise, these countries may remain trapped in an endless cycle of disaster.
Nepal is taking important steps to improve its ability to handle climate issues. For example, they are working on restoring forests, increasing hydropower, promoting electric vehicles, and enhancing local climate adaptation, Shah mentioned.
However, he emphasized, “Nepal can’t do this alone.”
He continued, “We are tackling our climate crisis, but we need to think beyond ourselves — there’s still much work to do.”
Climate justice and a changing world
Shah also shared his thoughts on “the international system.” He expressed worries about the principles of sovereignty, international law, and human dignity.
“We see these principles challenged too often. Frequently, which voices matter most come down to military and economic power instead of moral strength,” Shah said. He called for a “fairer global economic order” that should include not just financial help but also “climate justice” this means recognizing who pays the price of climate change and who gets to make decisions on the global stage.
He pointed out the need to consider the specific needs of mountain communities, small island states, landlocked nations, and countries that are less developed, as well as future generations.
Nepal’s new generation in politics
Shah highlighted some recent changes in Nepalese politics. He sees this as part of a larger movement among younger people who want a more honest and accountable government that addresses issues like the legacy of conflict, inequality, and lack of opportunities.
“This has led our youth to demand politics based on integrity and accountability.”
“Our government’s priority will be to create good jobs,” he mentioned, adding that they also aim to expand social protection and give Nepalis the chance to build their futures right here at home.
“Let’s shift our focus from responding to disasters as they happen to being prepared for them,” Shah said.
“We need to invest in insurance and new ideas. We should also put money into building better infrastructure and stronger institutions. It’s important to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and set up systems that can warn us, alert us, and save lives.”
‘Rooftop of the world’ “When we receive the next warning from the Himalayas, the rooftop of the world, I hope we will listen and take action.”
He ended his talk by wishing for a better future for everyone and encouraged humanity to follow the teachings of the Buddha. This speech addressed climate problems and discussed the recent floods in Nepal, highlighting the country’s vulnerability to climate change. It also stressed the need for international support, greater focus on climate justice, regional cooperation, and reforming the global system.