Khanal begins UNGA diplomacy ahead of PM Shah’s arrival

Nepal has begun its diplomatic engagements on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, with Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal holding a series of high-level meetings in New York ahead of Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s arrival.

Khanal, who arrived in New York ahead of Prime Minister Balendra Shah, has begun a round of engagements with foreign counterparts and senior international officials, setting the diplomatic groundwork ahead of the Prime Minister’s arrival on Tuesday.

Khanal held talks with Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, as part of Nepal’s engagements during the UNGA high-level week.

In another key engagement, Khanal met Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi at the UN Headquarters.

The Japan meeting comes as Nepal and Japan mark 70 years of diplomatic relations. Motegi expressed Japan’s solidarity with Nepal following the recent disasters and reiterated Japanese support from the emergency response phase through longer-term recovery and reconstruction. The two sides also discussed further strengthening bilateral ties.

He also paid a courtesy call on Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, with the two sides discussing Nepal-Bhutan relations and the growing frequency and intensity of climate-induced disasters.

As two mountainous countries, Nepal and Bhutan underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation on climate change and addressing shared challenges.

Khanal also held bilateral meetings with Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, and Portugal’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel.

Discussions with Portugal focused on the growing bilateral relationship and avenues for expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The engagements come ahead of Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s departure for New York on Tuesday to lead Nepal’s 14-member delegation to the UNGA high-level week.

Prime Minister Shah is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly’s General Debate on September 24 and is also scheduled to meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Climate change and the vulnerabilities of mountain countries are expected to form an important part of Nepal’s engagement this year.

Nepal is organising a UNGA side event titled “Sagarmatha to the Sea: A Call to Action for a Climate-Resilient Future,” aimed at drawing international attention to the impacts of climate change on the Himalayas and the wider consequences for vulnerable communities and ecosystems.

The issue has added significance for Nepal following the recent devastating floods and disasters in the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli river system. Nepal has said it will use the UN platform to press for greater climate action, adaptation support and attention to climate-related loss and damage.

With the Foreign Minister already engaging counterparts and international officials, Nepal’s diplomatic groundwork is now under way in New York. Prime Minister Shah’s arrival is set to take that engagement into the highest political level, beginning with his address to the General Assembly later this week.