- PM Balendra Shah will address the UN General Assembly, advocating for climate justice after devastating floods left thousands dead or missing.
- Nepal requires $18-$20 billion for climate adaptation, prioritizing early-warning systems and glacial lake outburst flood risk reduction through 2035.
- To secure international finance, Nepal must present evidence-based projects and improve coordination among ministries and scientific research institutions.
- Reconstruction of damaged infrastructure must follow enhanced risk standards to ensure long-term resilience against future climate-related disasters in the Himalayas.
NEW YORK : Nepal is taking the issue of climate change and climate justice to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly as the country continues to deal with the consequences of the August 26 Bhote Koshi floods. According to the latest government figures, the floods have left 1,451 people dead and 5,786 missing. Search and rescue operations are continuing, and the figures remain subject to verification and change.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah is leading Nepal’s delegation to the General Assembly and is scheduled to address the General Debate on September 24. Climate change, climate-related disasters and the need for greater international support are expected to feature in Nepal’s message.
Nepal has a strong case for greater international attention to climate risks in the Himalayas. But presenting the country mainly as a victim of climate change is no longer enough. Nepal needs to set out clearly what it wants from the international community, how those demands will be supported by evidence and how the country plans to use available climate finance and technical assistance.
The recent floods have added urgency to that discussion. The disaster caused extensive loss of life and damage to roads, bridges, hydropower projects, houses and other infrastructure. While climate change can affect rainfall patterns, glacier conditions and the severity of hazards, the causes of individual disasters need to be assessed carefully. Scientific evidence should distinguish between climate-related changes and other factors such as geology, river conditions and infrastructure exposure.
Nepal’s third Nationally Determined Contribution, adopted in 2025, estimates that the country will need about $18 billion to $20 billion for adaptation between 2025 and 2035. The priorities include early-warning systems, integrated watershed management and measures to reduce the risks from glacial lake outburst floods. These plans provide a basis for Nepal to engage development partners and financial institutions with specific projects rather than broad appeals for assistance.
Climate finance, however, is difficult to secure without projects that are properly designed, costed and supported by credible data. Nepal therefore needs closer coordination among the ministries responsible for foreign affairs, finance, forests and environment, infrastructure, energy, water resources and disaster management. Diplomatic missions can also play a more active role in identifying technical partners, financing opportunities and research cooperation.
The Bhote Koshi floods should also be documented as a major scientific case study. Data on glacier and slope conditions, rainfall, river flows, geology, settlements and infrastructure could help researchers assess what happened and how similar risks can be reduced. Such work would strengthen Nepal’s position in international climate discussions while improving domestic disaster planning.
Loss and damage is another area where Nepal needs stronger evidence. A regular system for recording deaths, displacement, infrastructure damage, economic losses and recovery costs would help the government present a clearer account of the financial consequences of climate-related disasters. It would also make it easier to track whether international commitments translate into support on the ground.
Nepal can also make greater use of its universities, research institutions and Nepali professionals working abroad. Climate diplomacy should not be limited to government officials and international meetings. Researchers and technical experts can contribute data, studies and project proposals that give greater substance to Nepal’s international position.
The same approach should guide reconstruction. Roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other infrastructure damaged by the floods should be rebuilt according to stronger risk standards where necessary. Replacing damaged structures without addressing the risks that caused or worsened the damage would leave communities exposed to future disasters.
Nepal’s international partners also have a role to play, particularly in scientific research, early-warning systems, project preparation and technical capacity. But international support will be easier to secure if Nepal presents clear priorities, reliable data and projects that can be implemented and monitored.
The UN General Assembly gives Nepal an opportunity to put Himalayan climate risks before an international audience. The more important task will be to follow the diplomatic message with a clear national programme, stronger evidence and sustained engagement with governments, researchers and financial institutions. For Nepal, the value of the UN platform will ultimately depend on what follows after the speeches.
