Nepal

PM Shah proposes Nepal-India-China climate resilience mechanism at UN

By THT Online

Prime Minister Balendra Shah addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Photo courtesy: Prime Minister's Secretariat/RSS

Key Takeaways:

  • PM Balendra Shah proposed a Nepal-India-China Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism at the UN General Assembly
  • The initiative would focus on satellite data sharing, glacier monitoring, early-warning systems and cross-border disaster response
  • Shah said the Hindu Kush Himalayan region supports nearly two billion people through water, agriculture and ecosystems
  • Nepal highlighted its climate actions, including forest restoration, hydropower expansion, electric mobility and local adaptation measures
KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 25 Prime Minister Balendra Shah has proposed the creation of a trilateral Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism involving Nepal, India and China to strengthen regional cooperation on climate change and disaster risk management. Addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday, Shah said the Hindu Kush Himalayan region plays a critical role in sustaining water resources, ecosystems, agriculture and livelihoods for around two billion people and remains vital to the global ecological system. Under the proposed mechanism, Nepal, India and China would collaborate through satellite data sharing, joint monitoring of vulnerable glaciers, early-warning systems and coordinated cross-border disaster assistance. Shah said the Himalayas should serve as a laboratory for international cooperation rather than remain a barrier separating countries through fragmented information and limited coordination. The prime minister also highlighted Nepal's contribution to global climate action through forest restoration programmes, hydropower development, the growing adoption of electric vehicles and locally led climate adaptation initiatives. Referring to the recent devastating floods in Nepal's Himalayan region, Shah said such disasters should not be viewed solely as national tragedies but as warning signs for the international community about the accelerating impacts of climate change.