KATHMANDU: Nepal PM Balendra Shah will make his first foreign trip almost six months after taking office when he travels to New York later this month for the 81st UN General Assembly, where Nepal's Bhote Koshi-Trishuli disaster is expected to anchor his push for climate justice, reconstruction assistance and stronger international protection for the Himalayan region. Shah assumed office on March 27 and has so far travelled neither to India nor China, breaking bilateral traditions.

The formal opening of the 81st session of the General Assembly is scheduled for 8 September, with the high-level General Debate beginning on 22 September.

This article is authored by Brabim Karki, columnist and commentator, Nepal.