Prime Minister Balendra Shah, 36, the world’s youngest national leader and head of government, is set to address one of the world’s oldest international institutions in New York.

According to a June 2026 analysis by the Pew Research Center covering leaders of 186 UN member states, Shah is currently the world’s youngest national leader and head of government. He will use the United Nations General Assembly, one of the world’s biggest annual diplomatic gatherings, to highlight the climate crisis and its consequences for vulnerable countries.

The address is part of Shah’s first foreign visit since he became prime minister on March 27.

The recent flash floods in the Bhotekoshi river and their devastating impact downstream have prompted the prime minister to use the UN’s highest-level international platform to draw global attention to the disaster’s toll on lives and livelihoods, as well as infrastructure, hydropower and other socioeconomic sectors.

The death toll from the catastrophic flash floods along the Bhotekoshi river reached 1,452 as of September 23, while search teams continue to look for 4,718 people who remain missing, including several hundred foreign nationals.

Shah is scheduled to address the General Debate of the 81st UN General Assembly on Thursday afternoon in New York, or after midnight in Nepal early Friday. According to the UN’s published schedule, his session begins at 3pm New York time.

In his address, Shah is expected to highlight the devastating consequences of the Bhotekoshi disaster and the growing vulnerability of Himalayan communities to climate-induced disasters.

Nepal is expected to argue that countries that have contributed relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions should not be left to bear the financial and human costs of a climate crisis they did little to create. Shah is expected to call for greater international support for disaster preparedness, climate resilience, reconstruction and rehabilitation.

He is also expected to press for greater access to climate finance, technology and capacity-building support, as well as an effective loss-and-damage mechanism to assist vulnerable countries without adding to their debt burden.

The Bhotekoshi disaster, which devastated communities in Rasuwa and downstream areas, has added urgency to Nepal’s climate diplomacy at this year’s General Assembly. Nepal has sought international assistance for recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction following the disaster.

Shah is also expected to underline the particular vulnerability of mountain countries, where rising temperatures, melting glaciers, changing precipitation patterns and other climate-related risks threaten lives, livelihoods and infrastructure.

The prime minister arrived in New York on Wednesday, leading the Nepali delegation to the General Assembly. He is scheduled to meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres during his stay.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has been participating in high-level meetings, side events and bilateral engagements in New York since September 20.

The theme of this year’s General Assembly is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All.” The General Debate is being held from September 22 to 26 and on September 28.

Shah’s appearance at the UN comes nearly six months after he assumed office and marks his first foreign visit as prime minister. His delegation includes Foreign Minister Khanal, Chief Adviser Kumar Byanjankar, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and other senior government officials.

The prime minister is scheduled to return to Nepal on September 26.