Nepal Prepares to Raise Climate Justice Issue at the UN General Assembly

At the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Nepal is prioritizing the issue of climate justice and proposing to emphasize the matter of partnership. Experts have highlighted the flood that struck the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli river, detailing the damage Nepal has suffered, and stressed the need for Nepal to clearly present its claims and call for cooperation against the impacts of climate change and in support of climate justice.

Prime Minister Walendra Shah Balen is scheduled to address the General Assembly and is also set to meet the UN Secretary-General, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Given the significant damage caused by the floods and the global attention it has garnered, the topics raised at the General Assembly are expected to be highly significant and beneficial to Nepal’s interests. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forests, and Environment has also confirmed that the Prime Minister will emphasize the issue of climate justice during his address at the Assembly.

The Prime Minister’s delegation will include Foreign Minister Khanal, Chief Advisor Kumar Byanjanakar, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, and other senior government officials, totaling 14 members. Water resources and environmental expert Ajay Dixit emphasized that Nepal should prioritize climate justice diplomatically and conceptually when presenting its demands.

Environmentalist Bhushan Tuladhar stressed that Nepal should make climate justice and enhanced partnership through cooperation a top priority during this General Assembly. He stated, “We should not only call on others but also clearly show that we are actively working ourselves and expect the same from others.” They advised giving special emphasis to Nepal’s ongoing efforts to address problems caused by climate change in the presentation.