Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra “Balen” Shah in New York, with the two leaders discussing Nepal’s recovery from devastating floods and Australia’s ongoing assistance to communities affected by the disaster.
The meeting took place on 25 September 2026 on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, bringing together the Australian and Nepali leaders during a major week of international diplomatic engagement in New York.
The devastating floods and landslides in Nepal were a central issue during the discussions. Albanese expressed Australia’s sympathy for those who lost their lives and for communities facing the difficult task of rebuilding after widespread damage to homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
Albanese also asked about the ongoing rescue and relief operations in Nepal and outlined the assistance Australia has provided following the disaster. He reaffirmed that Australia would continue working with Nepal and provide additional support where it is needed during the recovery process.
The meeting comes after Australia expanded its humanitarian response to the disaster in August. The Australian Government announced an additional $3 million in assistance on 30 August, taking its total humanitarian support for the disaster to $8 million at that stage. The package included $2 million for emergency supplies and humanitarian assistance to be delivered with support from the Australian Defence Force, along with $1 million for an Emergency Action Alliance appeal.
Australia has also been involved in efforts to support the search and rescue response. The Australian Government said Australian response personnel, including crisis response staff, consular officers and Australian Federal Police, had been deployed to Kathmandu to assist with the wider crisis response.
The situation has also had a direct impact on Australians in Nepal. At the time of the Australian Government’s August assistance announcement, 42 Australians remained unaccounted for. During his meeting with Shah, Albanese expressed sympathy to the families and loved ones of Australian citizens who remain missing following the disaster.
The meeting was not the first direct engagement between the two leaders since the disaster. On 4 September, Shah and Albanese held a telephone conversation about the floods, Nepal’s rescue and relief operations and Australia’s assistance. Nepal’s Foreign Ministry said Shah expressed appreciation for Australia’s solidarity and support, including assistance involving drone operators, relief supplies and financial support.
The August disaster caused extensive damage across areas affected by the Bhote Koshi River floods. Nepal’s Foreign Ministry reported damage to lives, homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure, while rescue teams from Nepal and several international partners were involved in ongoing operations.
Shah’s visit to New York comes as Nepal seeks greater international attention and cooperation on the challenges created by the disaster. Nepal’s Prime Minister addressed the UN General Assembly on 24 September, speaking extensively about the catastrophic floods and calling for stronger international cooperation on climate-related risks, disaster preparedness, early-warning systems and recovery financing.
In his UN address, Shah highlighted the vulnerability of Himalayan communities to climate-related disasters and argued that countries affected by such events require greater international support for recovery and resilience. He also called for improved cooperation around early-warning systems and disaster response across national borders.
For Australia and Nepal, the New York meeting adds another layer to a relationship that includes development cooperation, people-to-people connections and support during humanitarian emergencies. Australia maintains a development program in Nepal, while the two countries also have strong community links through Nepali Australians living across Australia.
The discussions between Albanese and Shah also come at a significant moment for both leaders. Albanese is in New York for the UN General Assembly while promoting Australia’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2029–30. He has said Australia intends to use its international relationships and multilateral engagement to address issues including conflict, climate change, cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
For Nepal, the immediate priority remains rescue, relief and rebuilding following the floods. For Australia, continued assistance provides an opportunity to support Nepal while also responding to the concerns of Australian families whose relatives remain unaccounted for.
The meeting between Albanese and Shah therefore placed humanitarian cooperation at the centre of their latest engagement. As Nepal moves from emergency response towards longer-term reconstruction and recovery, Australia has indicated that it will continue working with the Nepali Government to help deliver assistance where it is most needed.
