Press Release
Hon. Mr. Kamal Thapa, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Lykketoft, President of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, at the latter’s Office, and thanked him for the invitation and for organizing the important High-Level Thematic Debate on Sustainable Development Goals in such an opportune time. Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Thapa, while thanking the United Nations for its support for the overall development of Nepal as well as the peace process and the constitution making process, requested the United Nations for more support and cooperation in the days ahead. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the General Assembly revitalization and the various aspects of Nepal-UN relations, including the implementation of the ambitious and transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Hon. Mr. Thapa further stated that with the promulgation of the new constitution, which was adopted by the overwhelming majority of the constituent assembly representing the rich ethnic and cultural diversity of the country, Nepal has entered into a new era of political development which can be sustained only by economic development and prosperity. In this context, the increased support from the United Nations including in the development endeavors could prove even more vital, he observed. Welcoming the current political development in Nepal, H.E. Mr. Lykketoft appreciated the role and contribution of Nepal to the work of the United Nations in various areas especially in the maintenance of international peace and security.
Hon. Mr. Kamal Thapa arrived in New York this morning, leading the Nepalese delegation to the High-Level Thematic Debate on Achieving Sustainable Development Goals being convened by H.E. Mr. MogensLykketoft, President of General Assembly, and the High-Level Signature Ceremony of the Paris Agreement being convened by H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, both at the United Nations Headquarters on 21 April 2016 and 22 April 2016 respectively.
The Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Mr. Thapa was received at the JFK International Airport by H.E. Mr. Durga Prasad Bhattarai, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations, Ms. SewaLamsalAdhikari, Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations, Mr. Narayan Prasad Mainali, Acting Consul General of the Consulate General of Nepal in New York and other officials of the Permanent Mission and the Consulate General.
Hon. Mr. Thapa is scheduled to deliver a national statement at the High-Level Thematic Debate on Achieving Sustainable Development Goals. During the Signing Ceremony, he will signthe Paris Agreement on behalf of the Government of Nepal and will also deliver a national statement on the occasion.
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The High-Level Thematic Debate on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is being organized with a view on the one hand to increasing international awareness and political momentum for effectively implementing the SDGs and showing its strong interlinkages with the Paris Agreement on the other.
Similarly, the Signature Ceremony which coincides with the Earth Day celebrated each year on 22 April to support environment protection will be attended by world leaders including the presidents of COP20, COP21 and COP22 (Peru, France and Morocco respectively). The Paris Agreement adopted in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015, is a collective pledge of the 196 parties to the UNFCCC, to limit the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to combat Climate Change through actions and investment towards a low-carbon, resilient and sustainable future.
Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations
New York
20 April 2016