Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Nepal Prime Minister Balendra “Balen” Shah underscored the urgent need for a collaborative climate resilience initiative in the Himalayan region, proposing a mechanism involving Nepal, India, and China. This proposal aims to mitigate the increasing climate risks in the area, which have been exacerbated by rising temperatures leading to glacier-related disasters.
Shah emphasized that the Hindu Kush Himalayan region is a critical resource supporting nearly two billion people, providing water, maintaining ecosystems, and sustaining agriculture and livelihoods. He highlighted that the proposed Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism would facilitate sharing satellite data and technical expertise among the three nations. The initiative would also focus on monitoring dangerous glacial lakes, enhancing joint early-warning systems, and coordinating cross-border assistance during disasters.
The proposal gains urgency in the wake of recent devastating floods in Nepal’s Himalayan region, which caused significant destruction and loss of life. Shah pointed out that such events underline the necessity for stronger regional cooperation and climate resilience measures. The mechanism aims to improve preparedness for climate-related emergencies, offering a structured approach to managing the challenges posed by climate change in the region.
In addition to proposing the new mechanism, Shah called for increased international support for Nepal’s recovery and reconstruction efforts following the floods. He expressed gratitude to India, China, and other nations for their assistance during the recent crisis, emphasizing the importance of continued and enhanced international collaboration to rebuild and fortify the region against future climate threats.