Mr. Chairperson,
I Wish to thank the Secretary-General for convening the first ever World Humanitarian Summit, and for articulating the humanitarian agenda drawing the attention of the international community to the five core responsibilities and relevant actions.
The agenda for humanity requires common understanding, strategic approach and strengthened global partnership and collaboration. The Government of Turkey deserves our appreciation for generously hosting this important Summit.
For countries with limited means and capacity, managmg all potential risks and vulnerabilities IS a formidable challenge.
In 2015, Nepal confronted natural disasters exacerbated by severe obstruction of supplies. We are yet to recover from their profound humanitarian consequences. The devastation caused by the earthquakes has undermined the development gains made by us so far. We are also confronted with a massive need of restoring our archeological and cultural heritage, which are among the listed world heritage sites.
Despite these adversities, our unity and resilience has guided us to a common hope for the future.
We have established an autonomous National Reconstruction Authority, and have adopted a comprehensive Post-Disaster Recovery Framework to advance post-disaster reconstruction work. We look forward to receiving substantive contributions to implement this framework.
Having learned from our long-drawn experience of struggle for democracy, a decadelong armed conflict and nine years of transition to peace, we cannot agree more with the humanitarian agenda of the Secretary-General. Our peace process concluded last September by adopting an ambitious and inclusive rights-based as well as forwardlooking constitution written by an elected Constituent Assembly.
We are confident that the implementation of this ambitious constitution will help us build a peaceful and harmonious society free from conflicts, and enhance our capacity to respond to potential crises in the future. We appeal to the international community to appreciate the hard-earned achievements, and support us to implement the constitution with enhanced and meaningful partnership.
The foundation of lasting peace can only be built by addressing the root causes of conflicts, which are often engendered by social and economic disparities and inequalities.
As poverty and deprivation remain breeding grounds for all kinds of conflicts, elimination of poverty must get topmost priority.
The adverse effects of climate change and the increased severity and magnitude of disasters call for outcome-oriented actions along the established principles of common but differentiated responsibilities. Harmonization and coordination of national, regional and global strategies will make a huge difference in dealing with these menaces.
The Sendai framework for Disaster Risk Reduction lays emphasis on building back better through preparedness, innovation and resilience-building. It requires effective implementation keeping people at the centrestage. Similarly, all member countries are obliged to fulfil the commitments pertaining to the Paris Climate Agreement, based on respective responsibilities.
I believe that local communities must be empowered, strengthened and institutionalized in the management of disasters and resilience-building through a system of fair and adequate distribution of resources, capacity-building and technology transfer for additional innovation and local solutions. That is why we have given first priority to the holding of local elections in our country towards the end of this year.
Mr. Chairperson,
The rights of the migrant workers must be looked at with full respect, with emphasis on orderly and humane aspect of migration, and in appreciation of their contribution to development and cross-fertilization of human civilization historically.
Development finance remains a lifeline for LDC development. Development and humanitarian cooperation should go hand-in-hand. But humanitarian assistance should not come at the cost of development financing. We strongly call for a predictable and equitable means and new ways of securing humanitarian funding. The humanitarian principles of neutrality, independence, impartiality and universality should be upheld and adhered to in all circumstances.
I believe in the need to find solutions to humanitarian crises by respecting the sensitivity of local culture, the ownership and leadership of the development agenda and, more importantly, the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nations as enshrined in the UN Charter.
Thank you !