PM Shah proposes Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism involving Nepal, India and China

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has proposed the establishment of a “Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism” involving Nepal, India and China to strengthen regional cooperation in addressing growing climate and disaster risks in the Himalayas.

Addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Shah said the Hindu Kush Himalaya region is linked to the water security, ecosystems, agriculture and livelihoods of nearly two billion people.

He described the Himalayas as a critical component of the planet’s life-support system and called for greater cooperation among countries sharing the region.

Under the proposed mechanism, Nepal has suggested sharing satellite data and technical expertise, monitoring high-risk glacial lakes, strengthening joint early-warning systems and coordinating cross-border assistance during disasters.

Shah said the Himalayas should not become a region divided by fragmented information and national boundaries, but should instead serve as a laboratory for international cooperation on climate resilience.

The Prime Minister also highlighted Nepal’s environmental and climate initiatives, saying the country has restored forests across nearly half of its territory.

He said Nepal is expanding hydropower to meet the growing demand for clean energy, while the use of electric vehicles is also increasing.

Shah further said climate adaptation measures are being strengthened at the local level and expressed Nepal’s commitment to improving preparedness to cope with the increasing intensity and frequency of climate-related disasters.

The proposal comes as Nepal seeks to place the Himalayan climate crisis and regional cooperation more prominently on the international agenda, following the recent devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi–Trishuli river system.