Nepal PM Balendra Shah seeks climate justice at UN after 'Himalayan Tsunami' floods
24 September 2026
Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah told the general debate of the UN General Assembly's 81st session on Thursday, 24 September 2026, that the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli disaster in northern Nepal four weeks earlier — described as a "Himalayan Tsunami" — killed at least 1,400 people. More than 6,000 people remain missing and damage is estimated at around 10 per cent of Nepal's gross domestic product. He said Nepal contributes less than 0.1 per cent of global greenhouse-gas emissions, and that melting permafrost is destabilising Himalayan slopes. He proposed a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism led by Nepal, India and China to share satellite data, monitor dangerous glacial lakes and strengthen early warning. He called the Loss and Damage Fund, the Global Environment Facility and other mechanisms "grossly inadequate" and sought more grant-based climate finance.
In plain words
Loss and Damage Fund — A UN climate fund agreed at COP27 to help vulnerable countries recover from climate disasters.
GEF Global Environment Facility — A multilateral fund that finances environmental projects in developing countries.
Permafrost — Ground that stays frozen for at least two consecutive years.