Kathmandu, 25 September (H.S.): Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah met United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday and discussed disaster management and climate-related issues. Prime Minister Shah, who arrived in New York to attend the high-level week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, met Secretary-General Guterres at the UN Headquarters at 6:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, corresponding to 4:15 a.m. Nepal time on Friday, ahead of his address to the General Assembly.

Guterres expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives and property caused by the Bhotekoshi disaster. He said the United Nations stands in solidarity with Nepal on climate-related issues. He also praised the young members of the Nepali delegation. According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Guterres recalled his visit to Nepal as a tourist in 1978. He also expressed his commitment to continuing to support Nepal even after his retirement from office.

Prime Minister Shah thanked Guterres for his support and goodwill towards Nepal and wished him success in his tenure. Shah said Nepal had suffered substantial losses due to the natural disaster and that the risk of glacial lake outburst floods remained high.

The meeting also covered the rehabilitation of people living along riverbanks and the issue of green reconstruction. In addition, the two sides discussed efforts to secure support for extending the timeline for Nepal’s planned graduation from the category of least developed countries.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar