Nepal’s leader, at UN, says recent floods serve as a ‘warning to the world’ about climate change

Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah condemned fellow world leaders at the UN General Assembly on Thursday, asserting that the country's recent devastating flood serves as a "warning to the world" about the dire consequences of climate change. The August disaster, he said, was not just a local tragedy, but a sign that climate change continues to inflict pain on people who haven't caused the crisis, but now require assistance.

Shah reminded the audience that nearly three years ago, UN Secretary-General warned about the impending climate disaster, a warning that wasn't heeded sufficiently.

Shah emphasized that Nepal, a country that contributes less than 0.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, bore the brunt of the consequences of climate change. He highlighted the role of melting permafrost, caused by burning coal, oil, and gas, in the instability of the glacier which partially collapsed and triggered the catastrophic flood. Shah stressed that Nepal and other vulnerable nations did not create the crisis, but are bearing a heavy price for it.

The Prime Minister emphasized that climate change does not recognize borders, stating that glaciers and floods do not travel with stamps and passports. Subeksha Khadka, a humanitarian and former Miss Nepal International, echoed Shah's warning, stating that Nepal's experience is not isolated but could be anyone's tomorrow. Shah criticized the international financial aid system, calling it inadequate and too bureaucratic, and urging for climate justice that includes action, responsibility, reparation, and resilience.