Kathmandu, Sept 05 (V7N)- Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah is scheduled to address the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 24, The Kathmandu Post reported, citing the UN's published schedule.
This will be Shah's first foreign visit since he assumed office on March 27. He is scheduled to address the General Assembly on the afternoon of September 24.
The devastating floods and landslides that recently struck Nepal are expected to be a major focus of his visit. More than 1,300 people have died in the disaster, while thousands remain missing.
Initially, Nepal's delegation to the UN General Assembly was scheduled to be led by Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal. However, the decision was changed on August 26 following the devastating natural disaster in the country's northern Himalayan region.
Floodwaters triggered by landslides spread across areas around the Bhutekoshi and Trishuli rivers, damaging villages along the riverbanks and causing extensive loss of life and property.
Government officials said Prime Minister Shah decided to attend the UN session personally to draw the international community's attention to the scale of the disaster. Nepal is also expected to seek international assistance for rescue, relief and reconstruction efforts.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister's Office instructed the Foreign Ministry to begin preparations for the visit, confirming that Shah will personally lead the delegation.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal is expected to arrive in New York ahead of the prime minister. He will participate in bilateral meetings with officials from various countries and other high-level meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
According to Foreign Ministry officials, the delegation accompanying Shah will be relatively small and the visit will be brief. Besides addressing the General Assembly, the prime minister is expected to attend several high-level meetings.
The UN General Assembly's high-level general debate is held every September, bringing together representatives of all 193 member states. Heads of state and government and senior officials from around the world participate in the session.
Nepal has regularly used the UN platform to highlight issues of national and international importance, including climate change, mountain ecosystems and the needs of vulnerable developing countries.
Following the recent floods and landslides, Kathmandu is expected to intensify its call for international support. Seeking assistance for the recovery and reconstruction of disaster-hit areas is likely to be one of the key objectives of Prime Minister Shah's UN visit.
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