Foreign Minister Khanal thanks UN chief after Nepal flood

In Antalya, Turkey, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal held a meeting with UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres on 12 November 2026. During the talks, Khanal expressed heartfelt gratitude for the UN chief's expressed sympathy and solidarity following the recent Bhote Koshi flood, which Nepal attributes to climate‑change impacts. He underscored the disaster's human toll and called for international assistance to strengthen disaster‑risk reduction measures across the country. Guterres responded by commending Nepal's long‑standing role in global peace and stability, noting that the nation is a major contributor of troops and police to UN peacekeeping operations worldwide. He reiterated the United Nations' commitment to support Nepal in enhancing its capacity to respond to climate‑related emergencies, emphasizing the relevance of such support within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The discussion also turned to practical steps for improving early‑warning systems and hazard monitoring. Both sides agreed that bolstering technical infrastructure and sharing expertise would help mitigate future flood risks. Khanal indicated that Nepal intends to integrate these improvements into its national disaster management strategy, while Guterres pledged continued UN assistance in this area.