Press Release
The Rt. Hon. Sher Bahadur Deuba, Prime Minister of Nepal, addressed the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York today. The General Debate of the UNGA that began on 19 September 2017 under the theme ‘‘Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet”, will conclude on 26 September 2017.
In his address, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister highlighted Nepal’s perspectives on several pressing issues of global importance. He also shared Nepal’s successful peace process and the aspirations of the people for economic prosperity. On the occasion, the Prime Minister mentioned about the recently concluded local level elections and the ongoing preparations for holding elections for the provincial and federal parliaments later this year. Pointing towards the multiple transnational challenges including terrorism and extremism, climate change, energy deficiency, food insecurity and mass migration, the Prime Minister said that such challenges are the litmus tests for the leadership of nations.
In view of Nepal’s commitments to Human Rights, fight against international terrorism and disarmament among others, he called for the support of the international community to Nepal’s candidature to the Human Rights Council for 2018 to 2020. The Prime Minister concluded his address with a call for collectively displaying wisdom, knowledge and capacity to address the pressing issues of peace, security, disarmament and sustainable development with due respect to the internationally accepted rules to ensure a safe and stable world order. (The full text of the address can be accessed at www.un.int/nepal.)
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On the sideline of the UNGA, the Rt.Hon. Prime Minister held a meeting with H.E. Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General at the latter’s office today. They exchanged views on a number of issues ranging from the implementation of the Constitution to Nepal’s role in UN peacekeeping operations, and from Nepal-UN cooperation to the evolving challenges to development.
During the Meeting, the Secretary-General expressed condolences on the loss of lives and property caused by recent floods in Nepal. He congratulated on completing local body elections in Nepal, while also expressing satisfaction over the latest developments in Nepal. He also appreciated Nepal’s contribution to peacekeeping operations.
The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister congratulated the Secretary-General on his appointment and wished him a successful tenure. He also updated the Secretary-General on recent development including the preparations for holding provincial and federal level elections. Reiterating Nepal’s commitment to peacekeeping, the Prime Minister called the United Nations for making best use of Nepal’s Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre, oldest in region, and help develop it as a regional center of excellence for peacekeeping training. The Prime Minister also underlined the need to increase the number of Nepali nationals in higher positions commensurate with Nepal’s contribution as the sixth largest troop and police contributing country. The Prime Minister drew the attention of the Secretary-General to the need for placing the LDC and LLDC issues at the centre of the work of the United Nations. The Prime Minister also extended an invitation to the SG to visit Nepal.
Also present in the meeting were Hon. Mr. Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs (DPMFM); Hon. Asha Koirala, Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare; Dr. Dinesh Bhattarai, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister; Mr. Shanker Das Bairagi, Foreign Secretary; and H.E. Mr. Durga Prasad Bhattarai, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations. From the United Nations side too, senior officials including Mr. Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General for Field Support; and Mr. Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs were present in the meeting.
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Similarly, the Consulate General of Nepal in New York organized an event to celebrate the National Day of Nepal. Addressing the Nepali community present on the occasion, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister stressed on the need of utilizing knowledge, skills and resources of Nepali diaspora in the national development. The Prime Minister encouraged the Nepali community to continue preserving Nepali culture abroad. Similarly, the DPMFM highlighted Nepal’s unique and successful peace process and the need to unite for economic prosperity.
Also on the sidelines of the UNGA, the DPMFM held a meeting with Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations today. During the meeting, the Under-Secretary-General lauded Nepal’s role in peacekeeping operations and expressed UN’s willingness to continue the cooperation. The Hon. DPMFM reiterated Nepal’s commitment to international peace and security through peacekeeping operations.
The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister and other members of the Delegation are scheduled to leave for the Sultanate of Oman tomorrow afternoon.
Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations
New York
23 September 2017