Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah Proposes Himalayan Climate Resilience Initiative at UN
In his maiden speech at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah proposed the establishment of a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism involving India and China following recent devastating floods.
Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah called for the creation of a joint Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism with India and China during his address at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Inaugural Address at the UN and Geopolitical Balance
Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah delivered his maiden speech at the 81st United Nations General Assembly following the devastating floods that struck his country. This appeal drew attention as an extension of Nepal's policy of maintaining a geopolitical balance between its neighbors, India and China.
Stating that the Hindu Kush Himalaya region is home to nearly two billion people, Shah emphasized that the mountains are critical not only for Nepal but for the planet's life support system.
Data Sharing and Early Warning Systems
The thirty-six-year-old politician requested that the envisioned mechanism be utilized for sharing satellite data and expertise to monitor dangerous glacial lakes.
Stating that joint early warning systems must be strengthened, the leader touched upon the importance of coordinating cross-border assistance during disasters.
The Borderless Face of the Climate Crisis
Stating that the melting of glaciers weakens mountain slopes and increases the risks of avalanches, floods, and landslides, Shah said that the crisis has caused massive destruction on both sides of the Nepal-China border.
Emphasizing that climate change knows no borders, Shah underlined that floods and glaciers do not travel with visas in their passports.
International Aid and Casualties
The Nepalese Prime Minister expressed his deep gratitude to all friendly countries, particularly India and China, as well as the UN system and humanitarian organizations, which provided swift and generous assistance following the disaster.
The death toll from the flood disaster triggered by an ice avalanche on August 26 near the Nepal-Tibet border has reached 1,452, and thousands of people remain missing.
Cost of Reconstruction
According to the Rapid Disaster Needs Assessment report prepared by the joint technical team of the National Planning Commission and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the flood disaster caused 2.69 billion dollars in financial losses.
According to the report, approximately 4.77 billion dollars is needed for the recovery of infrastructure and assets; this amount corresponds to 10 percent of the country's gross domestic product.