New York, USA, September 25, 2026 — Prime Minister Balendra Shah has urged the international community to take the climate crisis seriously, warning that countries such as Nepal are suffering severe consequences despite making only a minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Friday morning Nepal time, Shah presented the destruction caused by the recent floods and landslides as a warning to the international community. He said the devastation, which he referred to as the “Himalayan tsunami”, demonstrated the growing risks facing Nepal and the wider Himalayan region.
Shah said the disaster had resulted in deaths, destroyed homes and livelihoods and damaged bridges, roads, schools and other infrastructure. He warned that continued disregard for climate change could force humanity to pay a much greater price.
The prime minister said Nepal contributes less than 0.1 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions but is paying a disproportionately high price for the climate crisis. He pointed to melting snow and glaciers, floods and major losses of lives and property as some of the consequences being faced by Nepal.
Shah said Nepal’s role in creating the climate crisis is minimal but its communities are increasingly exposed to its effects. He argued that climate justice must be implemented in practice rather than remain a principle contained in international documents.
