KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has called for global peace, climate justice and effective disaster management while addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
During his address on Friday morning, he highlighted the severe impact of climate change on least developed countries like Nepal.
Prime Minister Shah noted that despite Nepal’s minimal greenhouse gas emissions, the nation is paying a heavy price for the global climate crisis. Referencing the recent devastating floods in Nepal, he stated that the melting of Himalayan glaciers and resulting floods continue unabated, forcing the country to bear a burden it did not create. He emphasized that climate justice must move beyond rhetoric and be implemented in practice.
During his speech, the Prime Minister questioned the current global logistics system. He remarked, ‘The world can deliver weapons and missiles on time for war, but poor farmers cannot get fertilizer and fuel on time. What kind of world order is this?’ He urged global leaders to prioritize resources for humanity and development over weapons and conflict.
Prime Minister Shah proposed the establishment of a ‘Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism’ involving Nepal, India and China to protect the Himalayan region. He urged the international community to view the Himalayas not merely as a political boundary, but as a vital life support system for the world. He also expressed gratitude to neighboring nations and the international community for their support during times of disaster in Nepal.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister expressed his wishes for global peace, saying, ‘May Lord Pashupatinath bless the world. May this world, may this world be able to walk on the path shown by Buddha.’
