Nepal’s Prime Minister to Address UN After Floods on First Foreign Trip

Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah will make his first foreign trip since taking office when he addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 24. His appearance comes after floods that have killed more than 1,300 people and left thousands missing.

Shah’s decision to personally lead Nepal’s delegation reflects the urgency of seeking international support after the Aug. 26 inundations, the local newspaper Kathmandu Post reported. The disaster struck the Rasuwa district after a glacial collapse in the Bhote Koshi River.

Speaking to Nepal’s Parliament on Wednesday, Shah described the crisis as the worst disaster of its kind recorded in the area. “This event is a serious warning of the growing risk we face,” he said.

Shah also emphasized that Nepal could not confront destruction on this scale alone. He said Nepal would ask the international community to accept its share of what he called a global “shared responsibility” to reduce the effects of climate change.

The general debate of the 81st General Assembly session is scheduled for Sept. 22 to 28 under the theme “Restoring trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.” Shah’s speech is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 24, according to the timetable reported by local media.

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This event is a serious warning of the growing risk we face.