Participation of Nepali Delegation in UNGA81 (Day 4)

Press Release

Day 4

The Right Honourable Prime Minister and the leader of the Nepali delegation Mr. Balendra Shah addressed the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this evening.

In his address, Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Mr. Shah highlighted that climate catastrophe unfolding in the Himalayas is a global alarm, with climate risks transcending national borders and called for climate justice to translate into tangible action, with adequate, accessible and grant-based support for countries bearing disproportionate climate costs. The Prime Minister also urged a shift from post-disaster response to sustainable resilience—linking relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction with responsibility, reparation and resilience.

The Prime Minister further underscored the urgency for a fairer international order that respects sovereignty of states, upholds international law, safeguards human dignity, and promotes an equitable economic system. Additionally, he stressed the importance of financing resilience, building stronger infrastructures and institutions, and early-warning systems so that the world remains prepared to act when the disasters hit communities hardest.

Prior to his address, Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Mr. Shah held a bilateral meeting with the UN Secretary-General His Excellency Mr. António Guterres at the latter’s office in New York. They discussed various aspects of Nepal-UN partnerships including the recent devastating climate disaster in Nepal. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Shisir Khanal, Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister Mr. Kumar Byanjankar, Foreign Secretary Mr. Amrit Bahadur Rai, Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations H.E. Mr. Lok Bahadur Thapa, and other officials.

Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Shisir Khanal attended the 16th Ministerial Meeting of the UN Group of Friends of Mediation at UNHQ. The Foreign Minister Mr. Khanal underscored mediation as a vital instrument to rebuild trust, resolve disputes peacefully and advance durable peace amid widening geopolitical divides and multiplying conflicts. The Foreign Minister further emphasized the importance of inclusive mediation, stronger partnerships among the UN, regional and subregional organizations, meaningful multi-stakeholder participation, and greater use of the UN’s instruments of peaceful means.

At the Annual Ministerial Meeting, LDC Chair and Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Shisir Khanal delivered his opening remarks, reflecting on key achievements during Nepal’s stewardship and reaffirmed unwavering commitment to keeping the LDC agenda at the heart of global decision-making. He also highlighted the LDCs’ collective advocacy for sustainable graduation, climate justice, concessional development finance, debt sustainability, global governance reforms, productive and digital capacities, and international support for LDCs.

Nepal handed over the LDC Chairship to The Gambia, concluding its tenure with honour, solidarity and steadfast commitment to the collective aspirations of 44 LDCs.

Speaking at the High-Level Meeting on Sea-Level Rise, Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Shisir Khanal underscored climate vulnerability across the Himalayas, low-lying coasts and islands and urged decisive global action on grant-based climate finance, science and early warning, robust Loss and Damage mechanisms, and protection of the rights and dignity of displaced populations. Shedding light on Nepal’s “Sagarmatha to the Sea” initiative, he emphasized on the mountain-to-ocean interdependence and called for greater regional and global solidarity, partnerships in climate action.

Earlier at the Ministerial Meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission, Foreign Minister underscored national ownership as the indispensable foundation of credible, legitimate and durable peacebuilding and highlighted Nepal’s own homegrown and nationally-led peace process. The Foreign Minister stated that inclusive representation and local ownership, accountable institutions for transitional justice and rule of law, and responsiveness to successive generations are essential to sustain peace and build lasting social trust. He also stressed for international peacebuilding support to align with national priorities to strengthen national capacities and advance dialogue for reconciliation.

Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Shisir Khanal delivered a keynote speech on the theme of “Steering Nepal’s Future in Asia’s Rising Century” at Asia Society. In his address, he stated that Nepal is not “small” and that it is situated alongside the continental giants and remains at the heart of Asia’s resurgence. Drawing on Nepal’s legacy as a civilizational bridge, he highlighted Nepal’s ambition to transform geography into agency through good governance, connectivity, clean energy, innovation and deeper global engagement while advancing a just, rules-based and interconnected world.

Delivering his remarks at the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries, Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Khanal highlighted Nepal’s efforts to strengthen multimodal connectivity, modernize transit infrastructure, expand clean hydropower and promote digital and service exports. He also called for tangible and coordinated action under the Awaza Programme of Action, including freedom of transit, predictable financing for climate resilience, digital transformation, and stronger partnerships among LLDCs, transit countries, development partners and the private sector actors.

Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Shisir Khanal and Hon. Ms. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Minister of International Relations and Trade of the Republic of Namibia, signed a Joint Communiqué, establishing diplomatic relations between Nepal and Namibia. On the occasion, the two Ministers underscored the importance of exploring new avenues to advance bilateral cooperation for the shared progress and prosperity of the two countries and peoples. With this milestone, Nepal’s diplomatic outreach has expanded to 187 countries.

Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Shisir Khanal held bilateral meetings with H.E. Kirsty McNeill MP, Minister of State for International Development of the United Kingdom; and H.E. Ms. Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia. During these meetings, the Ministers discussed matters of mutual interest including further enhancing growing bilateral cooperation, particularly in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.

Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Shisir Khanal and H.E. Mr. Mukhtar Tleuberdi, Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, signed the “Agreement between the Government of Nepal and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on exemption from visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official/service passports” on behalf of their respective Governments in New York.  

Prior to the signing of the Agreement, both the Foreign Ministers held a bilateral meeting in a cordial atmosphere and exchanged views on important matters of mutual interest including strengthening friendly and cooperative bilateral relations.

Permanent Mission of Nepal to UN

New York

24 September 2026