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.
