KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah is set to attend the United Nations General Assembly, reversing his earlier decision to skip the event and send Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal in his place.
Shah came under pressure to attend the General Assembly in person after the massive Bhotekoshi flood on August 26 caused unprecedented loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure.
Amid the pressure, Shah decided to attend the General Assembly himself. Foreign Minister Khanal will also accompany him.
According to sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, preparations are now underway for the prime minister’s visit. “The foreign minister will also accompany the prime minister, and preparations are underway. The issues Nepal will raise and the content of the prime minister’s address are being finalised after consultations with various experts,” a foreign ministry official said.
The official said Shah is expected to highlight the climate crisis and the problems Nepal is facing due to climate change and carbon emissions.
Nepal is expected to put the devastation caused by the Bhotekoshi flood at the centre of its agenda at the United Nations. According to the Foreign Ministry, the decision for the prime minister to attend the General Assembly was finalised two days ago.
Shah had initially decided not to attend, but opposition leaders, media outlets and experts had urged him to reconsider. RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane had also called on Shah to attend the General Assembly.
The General Assembly programme in New York will begin on September 8. The visit will also mark Shah’s first foreign trip as prime minister, as he is travelling to the United States and the United Nations without having visited either of Nepal’s neighbouring countries, India or China.
There is now growing pressure on Shah to highlight Nepal’s concerns over the impact of climate change and establish the country’s case for climate action and support on the international stage.
Although the formal session of the United Nations General Assembly begins on September 8, the high-level general debate will be held from September 22 to 28, 2026. Shah is expected to address the General Assembly during the high-level segment.
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