Nepal’s leader labels devastating flood a ‘warning to the world’ | Climate Crisis News
Prime Minister Balendra Shah Calls for Urgent Action on Climate Change at UN Assembly
Published on September 25, 2026
NEW YORK — During his address at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah emphasized the need for global leaders to respond decisively to the escalating threat of climate change. He described the recent devastating floods in Nepal as a “warning to the world” about the urgent need for action.
Shah’s remarks followed catastrophic flooding that struck northern Nepal on August 26, leading to significant loss of life and displacement. He underscored the disaster, which resulted in at least 1,453 fatalities, as a situation that is reflective of a broader global crisis. “Have you really heard that warning?” he challenged the assembly.
He criticized the global political leadership for failing to adequately respond to climate warnings, stating that the necessary actions have not been taken “at the speed and scale that vulnerable people require.”
The floods, caused by a glacial collapse, left approximately 5,500 people missing and led to the rescue of nearly 14,000 individuals, according to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. Experts from the World Weather Attribution group have pointed to a “compound crisis” resulting from long-term climate issues, including glacier retreat and geological instability, as factors contributing to the disaster.
Shah highlighted the paradox faced by Nepal, which contributes less than 0.1 percent of global heat-trapping emissions, yet suffers drastically from climate change effects. He noted that 99 percent of the country’s electricity is generated from hydropower. “Our glaciers are retreating, our mountain slopes are becoming unstable, our rivers are becoming less predictable, and every major disaster threatens to erase years of development,” he stated.
In light of the challenges posed by climate change, Shah appealed for international assistance in funding Nepal’s adaptation efforts. He proposed the establishment of a “Himalaya Climate Resilience Mechanism,” intended to facilitate cooperation among Nepal, India, and China. This initiative would focus on sharing satellite data, monitoring glacial lakes, and improving early warning systems.
Nepal has requested $20 million from the UN’s loss and damage fund, the maximum amount permissible, though this is only a small fraction of the estimated $5 billion required to recover from the recent disaster. The fund, established in 2022 after severe flooding in Pakistan, has yet to distribute any resources, and the situation in Nepal is seen as a critical test of its effectiveness.
Earlier in the week, the United States announced an additional $31 million in flood recovery support for Nepal.
