Key Takeaways:
- Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal returned from the 81st UN General Assembly, where Nepal highlighted climate justice and post-disaster recovery needs
- Nepal called for greater access to climate finance and support through mechanisms such as the Loss and Damage Fund
- The country established diplomatic relations with Grenada, Namibia and Senegal, bringing the number of countries with which Nepal has diplomatic ties to 188
- Nepal secured additional support for flood recovery, including $25 million from the UAE and $30 million from the United States, according to Khanal
KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 30
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has returned to Kathmandu after participating in the high-level week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York from September 22 to 28.
Speaking to reporters upon his arrival, Khanal said Nepal used the global forum to advance its national interests, promote its climate justice agenda and highlight the concerns of developing countries, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating Bhotekoshi floods.
According to Khanal, Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s address to the UN General Debate focused on climate justice and called for improved access to climate finance and international mechanisms such as the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.
During the week-long engagement, Khanal participated in high-level meetings and side events covering climate action, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, development cooperation, human rights and multilateral partnerships. The Foreign Ministry said he attended more than 80 meetings and events during the visit.
At a Nepal-hosted programme titled “Sagarmatha to the Sea: A Call to Action for a Climate-Resilient Future,” Khanal called for greater international support in the form of climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building for countries most vulnerable to climate change.
The foreign minister also held bilateral meetings with senior officials from several countries, discussing issues related to economic cooperation, investment, development partnerships and support for Nepal’s post-disaster reconstruction efforts.
A key diplomatic outcome of the visit was the establishment of diplomatic relations with Grenada, Namibia and Senegal through separate joint communiqués. According to the ministry, the move increased the number of countries maintaining diplomatic relations with Nepal to 188.
Khanal further said Nepal signed a General Cooperation Agreement with Rwanda, established a Bilateral Consultations Mechanism with Serbia, and concluded a memorandum of understanding on visa exemptions for diplomatic, official and service passport holders with Belarus.
Highlighting international support received after the Bhotekoshi disaster, Khanal said the United Arab Emirates had committed an additional $25 million for flood-affected communities, while the United States had provided $30 million in assistance for recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
Expressing appreciation to both countries, the minister said the support would contribute to reconstruction and relief measures.
Khanal said Nepal’s participation in the UNGA had strengthened the country’s diplomatic outreach and created momentum for advancing national interests, climate advocacy and international partnerships in the months ahead.