New York, USA, September 24, 2026 — Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has described the Bhotekoshi disaster as a “stark warning from the Himalayas to the entire world,” calling for stronger international support for Nepal’s recovery and climate resilience.
Addressing the G7 Development Ministers’ Meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Khanal said a warming planet could reverse decades of development gains within hours.
“Despite our negligible contribution to global emissions, we continue to bear the disproportionate and harsh impacts of climate change,” he said.
Drawing international attention to the recent Bhotekoshi disaster and the losses it caused, Khanal outlined five priorities for Nepal’s recovery and reconstruction: long-term partnerships, accessible climate finance, investment in disaster preparedness, agile multilateral financing and prioritising the Himalayas, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Khanal called for coordinated international efforts supported by grants and concessional financing for sustainable reconstruction. He said Nepal needs quick, simple and direct access to financial resources, including the Loss and Damage Fund for climate-vulnerable developing countries.
He also called for increased support for early warning systems, climate information services and community-based preparedness programmes. He said multilateral development banks should be able to mobilise rapid and affordable financing to help countries respond to recurring climate shocks.
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Khanal said the conservation of glaciers, water systems and the Himalayan ecosystem should be placed at the centre of the global climate agenda.
He also expressed gratitude to G7 members and other friendly countries for their solidarity and support to Nepal during the difficult period.
“We must now translate international solidarity into concrete action, and shared responsibility into true climate justice,” Khanal said.
Bilateral meeting with German minister
On Wednesday, Khanal also held a bilateral meeting with German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali Radovan at the UN Headquarters.
Khanal briefed Radovan on Nepal’s ongoing recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts and stressed the urgent need for increased global investment in climate resilience, disaster preparedness and capacity building.
He expressed appreciation for Germany’s longstanding support for Nepal’s development and thanked the German government and people for their sympathy and solidarity following the disaster.
Radovan said the recent disaster in Nepal represented a shared global challenge and expressed Germany’s commitment to providing financial and humanitarian assistance to affected communities.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing climate action as a shared global responsibility and agreed to further deepen bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest.