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Prime Minister Balendra Shah has proposed establishing a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism jointly led by Nepal, India, and China. Addressing the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, PM Shah made the proposal, stating: "The Hindu Kush Himalaya is home to nearly two billion people. These mountains provide water, ecosystems, agriculture, and livelihoods to populations far beyond Nepal."

PM Shah emphasized that the Himalayas are not peripheral to the planet, but rather a vital part of its life-support system. "That is why, as an urgent first step, we propose that we establish a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism led by Nepal, India, and China," he said. "Through this mechanism, let us share satellite data and expertise, and let us monitor dangerous glacial lakes. 

PM furthe said : "Let us strengthen joint early-warning systems. And when disaster strikes, let us coordinate assistance across borders. Let the Himalayas become a laboratory of international cooperation, rather than a frontier of fragmented information."

UN Secretary-General António Guterres told world leaders at a high-level event on climate action during the 81st General Assembly that the world is "crying out for climate justice

As the UN chief noted, over the past month, Nepal has been crying out for the same.

Shortly after the devastating Bhotekoshi flood on August 26, Nepal drew international attention. From the onset of the flood, the Prime Minister, political parties, and civil society leaders have highlighted the issue of climate justice. It has become perhaps the top topic of discussion in the public sphere.

Nepal’s efforts to highlight the impact of climate change on the Himalayas are not new. However, the Bhotekoshi flood offered a clear case to show the international community how the devastating effects of climate change are unfolding in this Himalayan nation.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah will address the UNGA meeting, focusing heavily on the agenda of climate justice in his speech. In his opening remarks, the UN Secretary-General highlighted the impacts of climate change in the Himalayas, though without mentioning the flood explicitly.

At a side event, the UN chief said that the world is crying out for climate justice—in mitigation, adaptation, and finance. He remarked, “We must answer that call with action, and we do not have a moment to lose.” He added that the G20 is responsible for 80 percent of global emissions and must lead the effort.

Speaking at the G7 ministerial meeting, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said: “Our mountains, our rivers, our communities, and our critical infrastructure are increasingly exposed to floods, landslides, glacial hazards, and other climate-induced disasters.” He emphasized that climate change is no longer a distant threat for Nepal—it is real, accelerating, and eroding hard-won development gains. The Foreign Minister urged global political attention toward mountains as vital ecosystems essential for regional and global climate security.

In a sideline meeting titled Leaders’ Meeting of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, Khanal stated that the Loss and Damage Fund must be capitalized with new, grant-based additions—not repackaged commercial debt that extracts interest from tragedy. He stressed the importance of stronger global solidarity and cooperation, particularly involving mountain nations and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), to advance climate justice through resilient development, accessible finance, early warning systems, and green transitions.

Similarly, the Foreign Secretary underlined in his statement the urgency of accessible and affordable climate finance, climate-resilient infrastructure, multi-hazard early warning systems, stronger regional and global cooperation, whole-of-society preparedness, and climate justice.

Full text of speech delivered by Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal at High-Level Meeting on Climate Action and the Just Transtion 

First, I wish to extend our sincere thanks to the Secretary-General for convening this important event.

Let me also recall his powerful message delivered three years ago from the lap of Mt. Everest, when he urged the world to “stop the madness.”

He warned that Nepal’s mountains are “crying out for help” and that global inaction risks catastrophe for millions downstream.

That warning, I believe, was not only a plea—it was a warning grounded in science.

The question before us, Madam Moderator, is whether the international community truly heard this warning with sincerity, conscience, and resolve.

Yes, Madam Moderator, you are right.

In this climate catastrophe, Nepal has endured the loss of hundreds of lives, the destruction of homes and livelihoods, and the shattering of development gains painstakingly built over decades.

These tragedies are not isolated events. They are symptoms of a global crisis—a crisis Nepal did not create.

Nepal contributes less than 0.1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, we suffer disproportionately and repeatedly.

This crisis has dragged vulnerable communities back into poverty. It has swept away roads, bridges, schools, homes, farms, and livelihoods. It has crippled our hydropower infrastructure—the backbone of our future economic prospects—and shattered the dreams of many who saw hope in our steady development path.

Preliminary assessments indicate that from recent climate-induced disasters alone, Nepal has suffered losses exceeding USD 5 billion—nearly 15 percent of our GDP.

Thus, for Nepal, this catastrophe is not merely a humanitarian emergency; it is a development emergency dismantling years of progress. It is a justice crisis exposing the inequities of global climate action. And it is an existential crisis striking at the very survival of our communities and our future.

Let me stress that what happened in Nepal was not merely a local tragedy. It was a warning to the world of what might be coming next.

Madam Moderator,

Let me now turn to what the international community must do differently.

In fact, the international community must act not only differently, but decisively—and now.

We need a fundamental shift from promises to delivery. Vulnerable countries cannot navigate this crisis with fragmented support, unpredictable financing, and slow-moving mechanisms.

We need scaled-up, front-loaded, and accessible climate finance that reaches communities before disasters strike—not after devastation has already occurred.

Adaptation must be prioritized. For countries like Nepal, adaptation is not optional; it is a lifeline. Doubling adaptation finance is an overdue obligation.

Similarly, prevention and preparedness must remain central. We need universal access to early-warning systems, affordable technologies tailored to mountainous ecosystems, climate information services, and resilient infrastructure.

Our people are asking for climate justice. The Loss and Damage Fund must be adequately capitalized, operating faster, simpler, and more accessibly. Multilateral development banks must mobilize rapid and affordable financing when disasters strike.

Finally, the future of our glaciers, mountains, and water systems is inseparable from regional and global climate security. What happens in the Himalayas does not remain in the Himalayas. The Himalayas are part of the planet’s life-support system.

We must therefore take an integrated approach to address climate change impacts from the mountains to the sea. And we must double down on efforts to keep the 1.5°C goal within reach. This is a matter of survival for mountainous and coastal communities alike.

Let me conclude, Madam Moderator.

This "Himalayan Tsunami" is the most tragic disaster we have seen. But the larger, looming threat is even more consequential. It is not only the devastation we mourn today; it is the far greater danger that lies ahead if the world continues to look away.

Therefore, I call upon Heads of State and Government, Ministers, Philanthropists, the Media, Civil Society, the Private Sector, and the Academic community to rise to this moment with courage and clarity:

• To recognize that what happened in Nepal is not an isolated disaster, but a preview of what awaits many vulnerable nations.

• To understand that this crisis is not a distant headline, but a shared global reality.

• And to accept that the responsibility to act does not rest on the shoulders of vulnerable countries alone—it rests on all of us.

I call upon you to treat climate action not as charity, but as justice.

Kathmandu — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted his visit to the mountains of Nepal during his address to the 81st UN General Assembly, though he stopped short of explicitly citing the recent Bhotekoshi flood.

"Three years ago in the mountains of Nepal, I sounded the alarm on accelerating glacier melt—warning that the rooftops of the world are caving in," Guterres said in his statement, noting that critics at the time dismissed his warnings as overstated.

Referencing the accelerating pace of climate disasters—in what appeared to be an implicit nod to events like the Bhotekoshi flooding—he added: "But—as tragic events have shown—impacts are arriving sooner, hitting harder, and spreading further than many anticipated."

A direct mention of the Bhotekoshi flood by the UN chief could have mobilized much-needed international attention for the disaster. Nevertheless, Guterres underscored the urgent need for climate justice, with a strong focus on adaptation and international finance.

"Developed countries must respect their commitments," he stressed. "They must triple adaptation finance and make the Loss and Damage Fund work at scale." He further noted that current resources in the Loss and Damage Fund remain ridiculously small, adding that the global push to mine critical minerals must not "dig deeper into the inequities of the past."

A Nepali delegation is currently in New York to rally international support for climate justice and draw global attention to the devastation caused by the Bhotekoshi flood. Prime Minister Balendra Shah is scheduled to address the General Assembly, where he will prominently highlight the Bhotekoshi disaster and push for concrete climate action.

However, the opening day of the General Debate demonstrated that world leaders remain focused primarily on armed conflict, artificial intelligence, and the evolving international order, side-lining climate change and climate justice. U.S. President Donald Trump further dismissed the climate crisis, framing it once again as a "hoax.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah is heading to New York with a clear message for the international community: Nepal is paying a heavy price for a climate crisis it did little to create. Shah will attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly accompanied by senior government ministers, including Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal. He had initially been reluctant to travel to New York and was preparing to send a delegation led by Khanal.

The devastating Aug 26 flood in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa, however, changed the calculus. Party leaders and independent observers urged Shah to use the UN platform to draw global attention to Nepal’s growing vulnerability to climate change and climate-induced disasters.

The flood caused devastating loss of life and property and once again exposed Nepal’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. For Shah, the disaster offers a stark illustration of the climate injustice faced by countries that contribute little to global greenhouse gas emissions but suffer disproportionately from their consequences. In his UN engagements, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shah will put Nepal’s climate concerns at the centre of his message, alongside the country’s positions on major global and regional issues, including ongoing wars.

He is expected to make five key points.

Nepal is on the climate frontlines: Shah will highlight the repeated loss of lives, property and livelihoods caused by climate change and climate-induced disasters. He will argue that disasters such as the Bhote Koshi flood demonstrate the urgency of addressing Nepal’s growing climate vulnerability.

Those who emit least are suffering most: He will underline the disproportionate impact of climate change on Nepal, despite the country’s negligible contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Nepal needs climate justice, not sympathy: Shah will call for climate justice and demand immediate and fair compensation for climate-related losses through mechanisms such as the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD).

Rich nations must provide finance and technology: He will urge developed countries to make climate finance more accessible and concessional and to facilitate technology transfers. Such support, he will argue, is essential for Nepal to build climate-resilient infrastructure, advance climate-smart agriculture and strengthen the capacity of institutions and communities.

Nepal is also part of the global environmental solution: Shah will showcase Nepal’s contribution to environmental protection, pointing to its nature-friendly way of life, more than 46 percent forest cover, vast Himalayan region and extensive river systems. Nepal, he will stress, has continued to protect ecosystems of global significance despite its limited resources.

Shah’s message is expected to go beyond the immediate devastation caused by the Bhote Koshi flood. By taking Nepal’s climate vulnerability to the UN, the prime minister will seek to frame the disaster as part of a broader global injustice—and press the countries most responsible for climate change to shoulder a greater share of the cost.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal held talks with his Japanese counterpart, MOTEGI Toshimitsu, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

According to a press statement issued by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Motegi expressed deep sorrow over the immense damage caused by the recent devastating disaster. He offered his sincere condolences to the victims and conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and all those affected.

Furthermore, Minister Motegi conveyed Japan’s commitment to providing support ranging from emergency response to medium- and long-term recovery to help bolster Nepal’s self-reliant efforts. He outlined Japan’s assistance package, which includes the provision of emergency relief supplies, an Emergency Grant of USD $3 million channelled through international and other organizations, the dispatch of an expert identification team, and the supply of DNA testing equipment.

He affirmed that Japan stands with Nepal and intends to do everything possible for its long-standing friend.

In response, Minister Khanal expressed deep gratitude for the message of sympathy, solidarity, and aid extended by the Government and people of Japan. He assured that Nepalese authorities are sparing no effort in search and rescue operations for unaccounted foreign nationals, including Japanese citizens.

Minister Motegi noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal, highlighting Japan's consistent support for the consolidation of democracy and nation-building in Nepal. He expressed hope that the upcoming "Nepal-Japan Festival" in November would further deepen the amicable bond between the two nations.

Additionally, Minister Motegi reaffirmed Japan’s intent to support Nepal's development by steadily pursuing initiatives with the Shah administration. These include infrastructure projects such as the JICA-backed Nagdhunga Tunnel, alongside efforts to foster domestic industries and improve high-quality education to drive economic growth.

In response, Minister Khanal expressed deep appreciation for Japan's long-standing cooperation and reaffirmed Nepal’s desire to further strengthen bilateral relations on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

KATHMANDU — Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit the United States from September 23 to 25 for high-level talks with President Donald Trump. According to Beijing, the two leaders will discuss China-U.S. relations, trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, and broader international issues amid ongoing tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the visit—at Trump’s invitation—will involve an "in-depth exchange" on major bilateral issues as well as global peace and development.

Guo emphasized that both nations should leverage high-level diplomacy to provide "strategic guidance" for their relationship, describing the reciprocal exchange of presidential visits within a six-month period as a "historic milestone."

He added that Beijing is prepared to work with Washington to develop a "constructive relationship of strategic stability," strengthen dialogue and cooperation, manage differences, and contribute to global peace, stability, and prosperity.

The upcoming summit comes as Washington and Beijing seek to prevent a renewed escalation in their trade dispute. Economic and trade officials from both nations held preparatory talks in New York, where artificial intelligence featured prominently on the agenda.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent characterized the discussions as "very successful," noting that Washington proposed establishing a U.S.-China AI dialogue. This framework would include a notification mechanism for critical incidents posing potential national security risks.

Chinese officials similarly underscored the importance of dialogue regarding emerging technologies. Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times that the latest talks demonstrate both sides' commitment to existing agreements and to translating presidential consensus into concrete policy actions.

These diplomatic efforts coincide with the upcoming November expiration of the tariff truce reached by Trump and Xi in Busan in 2025. Both nations face pressure to maintain the pause on further tariff escalation while navigating complex disputes over market access, technology restrictions, and critical minerals.

China currently holds a dominant position in the global refining and processing of critical minerals essential for advanced manufacturing and clean energy technologies. While Washington is pursuing more secure access to these supplies, Beijing continues to oppose what it views as the misuse of export controls to restrict Chinese economic development.

Agricultural trade represents another key focal point. U.S. soybean producers have long relied on China as a primary export market, and Washington continues to press Beijing to increase purchases of American agricultural goods to help rebalance the bilateral trade deficit.

Technology, however, remains a persistent friction point. U.S. agencies recently accused a Chinese AI firm of using "industrial-scale" model distillation to mirror the capabilities of advanced American AI models. Chinese authorities rejected the allegations as groundless, accusing Washington of applying double standards to stifle market competition in the tech sector.

Taiwan is expected to remain among the most sensitive topics on the leaders' agenda. Chinese officials consistently reiterate that Taiwan is the single most critical and sensitive issue in U.S.-China relations. Beijing maintains that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and opposes any movement toward formal independence. Conversely, Washington maintains its longstanding "One China" policy while opposing any unilateral changes to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.

During a previous meeting, Xi informed Trump that the Taiwan issue is fundamental to bilateral relations, warning—according to Chinese official readouts—that mishandling it could trigger direct confrontation or conflict.

Xi has defined his proposed framework for "constructive strategic stability" as one that incorporates cooperation where possible, competition within bounded guardrails, effective management of differences, and a shared expectation of continued peace. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted that bilateral ties have generally progressed toward the objectives outlined by both presidents.

Economic matters are also set to feature heavily in the discussions. A White House readout from a May 14 meeting indicated that both sides explored expanding market access for American enterprises in China alongside boosting Chinese investment in U.S. industries—a session that included participation from several leading U.S. corporate executives.

Additionally, the White House noted that the two leaders discussed joint initiatives to curb the flow of illicit fentanyl precursor chemicals into the United States, alongside commitments to increase Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural exports.

Energy security and Middle Eastern stability have also emerged on the bilateral agenda. According to White House statements, Trump and Xi agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to ensure uninterrupted global energy flows. Xi voiced opposition to any militarization of the waterway or attempts to impose transit tolls, while expressing interest in expanding U.S. crude oil imports to diversify China's energy supply routes.

The White House added that both leaders concurred that Iran must not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.

These sustained diplomatic contacts suggest that Washington and Beijing remain committed to high-level communication despite deep-seated disagreements over trade, technology, supply chains, and cross-strait stability.

World leaders will gather in New York this week for the high-level segment of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, with wars and international security, artificial intelligence, climate change, sustainable development and pandemic preparedness expected to dominate the agenda.

The General Debate begins on September 22 and runs through September 28. The session is being presided over by Bangladesh’s Khalilur Rahman under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

For Nepal, the week will provide a major diplomatic platform to put the concerns of a climate-vulnerable, developing and landlocked country before the international community. Nepal has already made it clear that it will dominantly raise the climate change issues.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah will lead Nepal’s delegation to New York and is scheduled to address the General Debate on September 24. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal will reach earlier to participate in high-level meetings, side events and ministerial engagements and hold bilateral meetings with foreign counterparts. 

Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal is traveling to New York on September 20, where Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle is also expected to visit.

Artificial intelligence is emerging as one of the newer strategic issues confronting the UN system. The debate is no longer simply about whether AI should be developed faster or slower, but about how governments can ensure that the technology is safe, accountable, inclusive and accessible while preventing its misuse.

The issue has particular relevance for developing countries such as Nepal, where the benefits of AI will depend heavily on access to digital infrastructure, skills, data and technology.

Armed conflicts and international security will remain at the center of the General Debate as the UN faces mounting pressure over its ability to respond to wars and humanitarian crises. The Middle East and the war in Ukraine are expected to feature prominently in leaders’ statements, alongside broader questions concerning international law, sovereignty, civilian protection and the credibility of multilateral institutions.

For Nepal, the issue also has a direct dimension. Kathmandu has consistently stressed dialogue, diplomacy, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and the protection of civilians in addressing international conflicts.

Climate change is likely to be one of Nepal’s most important issues at the General Assembly. A high-level meeting on climate action and a just transition is scheduled for September 23, followed by a meeting on the existential threats posed by sea-level rise on September 24.

Although Nepal contributes little to global greenhouse-gas emissions, its mountains and communities are highly exposed to climate-related risks. Melting glaciers, glacial lake outburst floods, landslides, floods and other extreme weather events have increased the urgency of Nepal’s call for greater international climate action.

The devastating Bhote Koshi floods have further sharpened that message. Nepal has been coordinating international assistance following the disaster, giving Kathmandu a fresh opportunity to highlight the economic and humanitarian costs faced by climate-vulnerable countries. 

The SDG Moment was held on September 18, while the General Assembly’s high-level week will continue discussions on development, poverty, inequality, health, education, energy and financing. The UN has acknowledged the need for renewed efforts to accelerate progress toward the 2030 targets.

For Nepal, the SDG agenda intersects with its transition from least-developed-country status, the need for development financing and the challenge of maintaining economic and social progress amid climate and geopolitical shocks. Kathmandu is likely to stress the importance of development finance, technology transfer, capacity building and continued international support for developing countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic will also return to the high-level agenda. A high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response is scheduled for September 25. The meeting is intended to examine how countries can strengthen health systems and improve their ability to respond to future global health emergencies.  For Nepal, the discussion is closely connected to health-system capacity, emergency preparedness and equitable access to medicines, vaccines and health technologies.

Nepal government has recommended 13 individuals for ambassadorial positions selected through an open public vacancy process.

The decision was finalized during a Cabinet meeting. The move follows an open call issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which drew over 4000 applicants. The government spent nearly four months screening credentials before shortlisting candidates based on their expertise, academic background, and professional merit.

In a parallel effort to institutionalize diplomatic reforms, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal worked to secure political consensus between Prime Minister Balendra Shah and RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane. Following these high-level consultations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an open call on June 2, establishing explicit qualification criteria for ambassadorial appointments.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conducted the initial administrative screening before submitting a longlist to the Prime Minister's advisory team for further evaluation and vetting. The list of recommended envoys includes notable subject-matter experts, scholars, and high-ranking former officials:

• India: Dr. Nishchal Nath Pandey, foreign policy scholar and Director of the Centre for South Asian Studies.

• China: Dr. Kalyan Raj Sharma, Sinologist and economist.

• United States: Chiran Jung Thapa, national security and international affairs specialist.

• United Kingdom: Gaurav Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana, former Chief of Army Staff.

• Japan: Jigyan Kumar Thapa

• Israel: Suresh Kumar Karna

• Spain: Prapti Sherchan

• Germany: Sharu Joshi

• Oman: Dr. Padmakshi Rana

• Malaysia: Chudamani Kharel

• South Korea: Sangam Shrestha

• Sri Lanka: Manchala Jha

• Saudi Arabia: Giri Bahadur Sunar

 When the current administration announced the open application system, critics questioned whether highly qualified professionals would apply. However, the application pool featured former military leaders, development professionals, and published foreign policy researchers.

While most nominees do not hold formal political affiliations, some candidates have publicly expressed support for the current government. Details regarding the exact evaluation criteria and whether the final recommendations were drawn entirely from the pool of public applicants remain undisclosed by the Foreign Ministry.  The Ministry has released short biographies alongside the list, highlighting the specialized backgrounds of each appointee in security, international development, and economic policy.