Hon. Mr. Prakash Man Singh, Deputy Prime Minister and the leader of the Nepalese delegation, participated in the General Debate of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York today. The theme of the Session was “the UN at 70: the road ahead for peace, security and human rights”.
Addressing the 70th Session of the UNGA, the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister reiterated Nepal’s full commitment to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. While sharing his belief that the United Nations at its 70 remains a strong pillar of the international system as well as the institution of hope and trust, he stressed the need for a stronger United Nations capable of delivering result based on the wider respect for and observance of the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and non-interference as well as of preserving the universal values of peace, justice, equality, freedom and human dignity.
The Deputy Prime Minister informed the world leaders about the historic political transformation of Nepal that culminated in the promulgation of new constitution on 20 September 2015 after about eight years of rigorous democratic exercise conducted in an inclusive, transparent and participatory manner. He added that the constitution exemplified the victory of peace and non-violence as inspired by the teachings of the Lord Buddha and reflected the best of democratic principles, norms and values. He further said, the “constitution opens up new avenues of empowerment, progress and wellbeing for all disadvantaged groups including women, Tharus, Madhesis, indigenous people, Muslims and Dalits with a resolve to create an egalitarian society by ending all discriminations”.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that the struggle for development of LDCs had been unfairly long and at the cost of dignity of their people. Therefore, he highlighted that an enhanced level of partnership and collaboration was the key to address the challenges facing the LDCs like Nepal. While highlighting the effective implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action to make a difference in the lives of about 450 million people living in the LLDCs, he stressed that the freedom of transit of the LLDCs should not be constrained under any circumstances or pretext to disrupt the flow of goods and services. He also called for an enhanced level of international collaboration which he said was essential to conserve and promote the mountain ecosystems.
The Deputy Prime Minister underlined the belief of Nepal in an integrated approach to democracy, development and human rights by adding that democracy was indispensable for development as well as for the enjoyment of political, cultural and social rights and the right to development. While informing that migration emerged as a mega-trend and migrant workers constituted a significant dimension of the current human mobility, he called for due recognition and priority for the protection of their rights and dignity.
Moreover, he said that the reform was required to strengthening and revitalizing the work of the United Nations to better respond to the increasingly complex and profound challenges facing the world. While highlighting Nepal’s contributions to the peacekeeping, the Deputy Prime Minister informed the august gathering of the Heads of States/Governments of Nepal’s willingness and ability to contribute from senior level leadership positions in the UN peace architecture.
Hon. Mr. Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, Minister for Foreign Affairs participated in the Annual Ministerial Meeting of the Group of LDCs which was organized on the sidelines of the UNGA. The Hon. Minister said that the LDCs continued to face multiple problems such as poverty, unemployment, poor infrastructure, scarce resources, etc. He emphasized that the Istanbul Programme of Action, which aims at halving the current LDCs by 2022, should be implemented in its letter and spirit. He further said that the marginalization of LDCs in the global trading system hindered their capacity to utilize the trade-induced growth for the socio-economic development.
He also said that the recent adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development had generated optimism for a better future across the world. He stressed the need of embracing everyone and implementing it in its entirety for the goals to be truly transformative.
Also on the sidelines of the UNGA, the Hon. Foreign Minister held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Paolo Gentiloni, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. On the occasion, the two Foreign Ministers discussed various matters of mutual interest. During the meeting, the Hon. Minister thanked his counterpart for prompt humanitarian support to Nepal in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.
Similarly, the Hon. Minister held a meeting with H.E. Ms. Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). On the occasion, the Administrator of the UNDP extended congratulation on the promulgation of new constitution and wished for a more peaceful, stable and prosperous Nepal. The Hon. Minister thanked H.E. Ms. Clark for the contribution of her office across the world and urged for more cooperation in the context of Nepal’s post-disaster reconstruction and the adoption of the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Hon. Foreign Minister also participated in the Ministerial Breakfast of the Group of Friends of Mediation cohosted by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Turkey and Finland. He also delivered a statement during the Meeting.
Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations
New York
01 October 2015
