# Nepal's 36-Year-Old PM to the UN: "Have We Really Heard That Warning?"

*World · 25 September 2026 · RECORDx NEWS*

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQw2heFY-qY
Page: https://news.recordx.co/story/nepals-36-year-old-pm-to-the-un-have-we-really-heard-that-warning/

A month after floods killed at least 1,400 people in Nepal, its 36-year-old prime minister asked the UN: "Have we really heard that warning?"
On 24 September Balendra Shah, a former rapper and engineer and the youngest head of government to address this year's General Assembly, said the Bhote Koshi Trishuli disaster "was not just a local tragedy. It was a warning to the world." Nepal contributes less than 0.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions. "We did not create this crisis, yet we are paying a colossal price for it." Damage is put at more than $5 billion; US aid so far totals $36 million, less than 1% of assessed needs, according to AP. On climate finance he said: "When the house is burning, we do not ask family to complete fifty forms. We act."
Shah is heard in his own voice, from the UN's own record. Flood footage: AP.

## The reporting

Claim: On 24 September 2026 Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah, 36, told the UN General Assembly that the August floods, which killed at least 1,400 people, were "a warning to the world", and asked: "Have we really heard that warning?" Nepal contributes less than 0.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions: "We did not create this crisis, yet we are paying a colossal price for it." Format: duet-style, ~74s, 4 voice beats (Shah own voice) over AP flood footage. Gravity: counting.

## Facts

At least 1,400 killed in Nepal's August floods; more still missing — AP, 24 Sept 2026. Shah, 36, former rapper and engineer, youngest head of government to address the Assembly this year — AP. Damage over $5 billion (nearly 15% of GDP); US aid $31m this week, $36m total, under 1% of assessed needs — AP. Nepal emits under 0.1% of global greenhouse gases — Shah's speech and AP. The flood struck both sides of the Nepal-China border and continued into India — Shah's speech; Gyirong port CCTV (AP). All four quotes — UN Web TV tape.

## What this story does not claim

It does not give a missing-person count (the speech audio is unclear on it). The "under 1%" figure refers to US aid only.

## References

- https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k18/k18iyhzwip
- https://www.wsls.com/news/world/2026/09/25/nepals-leader-at-un-says-recent-floods-serve-as-a-warning-to-the-world-about-climate-change/
- https://kathmandupost.com/politics/2026/09/24/at-un-pm-to-make-nepal-s-case-for-climate-justice
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXYbw_wdjRM
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCanRmchkL0

Reporting drawn from: UN Web TV (General Debate, 81st Session, Day 3), AP, Kathmandu Post, UN Web TV tape

## Footage

- AP `JXYbw_wdjRM` · 26 Aug 2026
- AP `JXYbw_wdjRM`
- AP `BCanRmchkL0` · 26 Aug 2026
- UN Web TV
- UN Web TV

## Transcript

A month ago, floods tore through Nepal's mountains and killed at least 1,400 people. On Thursday, its prime minister asked the United Nations one question
The Bhote Koshi Trishuli disaster was not just a local tragedy. It was a warning to the world, and I ask you today, have we really heard that warning?
The water hit both sides of Nepal's border with China and kept going downstream into India
Climate change does not recognize borders. Glaciers and floods do not travel with stamps and passports.
Balendra Shah is 36, a former rapper and engineer, and the youngest head of government to speak this year
Nepal contributes less than 0.1% of global greenhouse gas emission. We did not create this crisis, yet we are paying a colossal price for it.
The damage is put at more than five billion dollars. American aid has reached thirty-six million, less than one percent of the need
When the house is burning, we do not ask family to complete 50 forms. We act. This is what climate justice must mean.
At least 1,400 dead in a country that makes almost none of the gases warming the planet

## Topics

climate change, un general assembly, unga 2026, himalaya

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