Kathmandu, Bhadra 19 - Prime Minister Balendra Shah will lead Nepal’s delegation to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York later this month. According to Rajan Koirala, Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Cabinet has agreed to the Prime Minister's participation.
Prime Minister Shah is expected to travel to New York on September 19 and speak at the United Nations General Assembly meeting on September 24. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, senior government officials and delegates of Nepal's Permanent Mission to the United Nations will be also at the event with him.
The 81st UN General Assembly comes at a significant time for Nepal as the country continues to grapple with the devastating consequences of the Bhotekoshi floods. It has claimed lives and inflicted widespread destruction on settlements, infrastructure, hydropower projects and even raised the concern of Nepal's vulnerability towards disasters related to climate change. Prime Minister Shah, during his visit will highlight Nepal's issues on climate change, the disaster situation and demand for more international support. Nepal has consistently highlighted that countries with relatively low contributions to global greenhouse gas emissions are facing some of the most severe impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable Himalayan regions.
The visit will also give Nepal the opportunity to discuss with the international partners sustainable development, climate finance, disaster resilience, multilateral cooperation issues. The report also says that PM Shah will meet the leaders and representatives of other nations on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in bilateral talks.
The United Nations General Assembly will give the government a valuable international forum to show the country's urgent requirement and future climate issues after the Bhotekoshi disaster, as Nepal is engaged in rescue and recovery/ reconstruction operation. Prime Minister Shah’s address will therefore be closely watched for how Nepal presents its priorities on climate resilience, international assistance, disaster recovery and sustainable development to the global community.
Source : The Kathmandu Post
