Minister for Foreign Affairs attended the opening of the fortieth session of UN Human Rights Council

Press Release

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Mr. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, attended the opening of the fortieth session of UN Human Rights Council today. The Geneva-based Human Rights Council, the apex international human rights body, is being addressed by leaders from around the world in its High Level Segment from 25 to 27 February 2019.

The President of the HRC Mr. Coly Seck opened the 40th Session which was addressed by the President of the General Assembly Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa, UN Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Michelle Bachelet, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland Mr. Ignazio Cassis.

On the side-lines today, Foreign Minister Gyawali had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar. During the meeting, the two Ministers discussed on further strengthening of bilateral cooperation as well as promoting investment and wellbeing of the Nepali nationals working in Qatar.

Separately, Minister Gyawali had a meeting with H. E. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom. Matters of bilateral relations, economic cooperation and those pertaining to the agenda and priority of the Human Rights Council were discussed during the meeting.

Later, Minister Gyawali visited Permanent Mission of Nepal based in Geneva and received briefing from Ambassador/ Permanent Representative and other diplomats on the activities of the Mission and multilateral diplomacy in Geneva.

Foreign Minister Hon. Gyawali is scheduled to address the Council tomorrow highlighting Nepal’s human rights commitments and participate as a panelist in the High Level Discussion on Death Penalty being held at the Human Rights Council.

Permanent Mission of Nepal
Geneva
February 25, 2019