Prime Minister Balendra Shah has returned to Nepal after leading the Nepali delegation to the high-level week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Shah travelled to New York on September 22 and addressed the UN General Debate on September 24. Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had announced before the trip that the prime minister was scheduled to return to Kathmandu on September 26.

His visit marked his first foreign trip since assuming the post of prime minister.

Climate and disaster risks at centre of UN address

In his UN address, Shah placed Nepal's recent disaster experience at the centre of his message, referring to the deadly floods and destruction caused by the August disaster in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems.

He linked Nepal's experience to broader concerns over climate vulnerability and called for stronger international cooperation on climate-related risks. The full address published by the Foreign Ministry also outlined Nepal's position on development, global cooperation and the role of smaller and climate-vulnerable countries.

Among the proposals presented by Shah was a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism involving Nepal, India and China. He proposed greater cooperation in areas including satellite information, technical expertise and early-warning systems for mountain-related hazards.

Calls for greater climate finance

Shah also used the UN platform to argue for greater access to climate finance and support for countries facing significant climate-related risks.

In his speech, he framed climate justice not only as a question of financial assistance but also in terms of who bears the costs of climate impacts and whose voices are represented in international decision-making.

He further highlighted the situation of mountain communities, small island states, landlocked countries and least-developed countries.

Meeting with UN Secretary-General

During his New York visit, Shah was also scheduled to meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The United Nations subsequently published a readout of their September 24 meeting.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal had travelled to New York ahead of Shah and participated in high-level meetings, side events and ministerial engagements connected with the UNGA.

Khanal also represented Nepal at the September 26 “Sagarmatha to the Sea” event at UN headquarters, which brought together mountain and island countries around climate resilience and international cooperation.

Return concludes first foreign visit

The 81st UNGA visit concluded Shah's first foreign trip as prime minister.

The UN General Debate was held during the high-level segment of the 81st General Assembly, with the broader General Debate scheduled from September 22 to 26 and September 28.

For Nepal, the delegation's participation provided an international platform to present the country's concerns over climate vulnerability, disaster preparedness, development financing and the interests of Himalayan and other climate-vulnerable nations.