Kathmandu [Nepal], September 12 – Prime Minister Balendra Shah will raise Nepal’s climate crisis and the loss of lives and property caused by climate-related disasters at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Shah is scheduled to address the high-level General Debate on September 24 at the UN headquarters in New York, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai said on Friday.
The General Debate will be held from September 22 to 28 with heads of state from 81 countries and heads of government from 50 countries expected to participate.
During his address Shah will draw international attention to the repeated floods, landslides and other disasters Nepal has suffered due to climate change, despite the country’s low contribution to global emissions.
He is also expected to present Nepal’s call for climate justice and highlight the country’s contribution to global environmental protection through nature-friendly lifestyles, forests which cover more than 46 percent of its territory, the Himalayas and extensive river systems.
Rai said the General Assembly would also provide Nepal an opportunity to brief the international community on the Gen Z movement, the subsequent elections and the priorities of the new government formed with a strong public mandate.
Nepal will use the high-level forum to seek continued and increased international support and goodwill, he added.
