Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah has called for Nepal, India and China to work together and create a “Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism” to tackle the growing impact of climate change in the Himalayan region. Speaking at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, he said global warming is seriously affecting the Himalayan ecosystem and that international cooperation is urgently needed. The Hindu Kush Himalayan region supports the lives and livelihoods of around two billion people and provides important water, agriculture and other resources to several countries. Shah said Nepal, India and China could work together by sharing satellite data, monitoring dangerous glacial lakes, strengthening early warning systems and coordinating cross-border assistance during natural disasters. He also pointed out that melting glaciers are increasing the risk of landslides and sudden floods, affecting areas along the Nepal-China border and sending floodwaters towards India. He said more than 1,450 people have died and over 6,000 people are missing in the Nepal floods, while thanking India, China, the United Nations and other friendly countries for their immediate assistance. Shah stressed that joint efforts are urgently needed to control global warming and protect the livelihoods of more than two billion people living in the Himalayan region.
