Statement by Ms. Sewa Lamsal, Foreign Secretary and Leader of the Nepali Delegation to the Third South Summit of the Group of 77 and China
Kampala, Uganda, 21-22 January 2024
Your Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the
Republic of Uganda and Chair of the Third South Summit
Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government,
His Excellency Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly
His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
Honourable Ministers,
Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I feel privileged and honoured to attend and address this august gathering today.
At the outset, I congratulate the Government of Uganda for successfully hosting the 19th Summit of the Non-aligned Movement and the third Summit of G77 and China consecutively. With this, Uganda has made a history of hosting two important Summits consecutively.
I wish to express my profound gratitude to the Government and people of Uganda for the gracious hospitality extended to us ever since our arrival in this beautiful city.
I also extend my deep appreciation to the Republic of Cuba for its dynamic leadership during its chairmanship in 2023.
Mr. Chairman,
We assemble here at a time when the world is facing multiple global challenges such as pandemics, conflicts, climate change, and geopolitical rivalry, among others.
Many of us are bearing the brunt of these multifaceted yet intersecting challenges which have seriously undermined our development efforts.
As such, many countries, specifically the LDCS, have been left behind in the pursuit of their development aspirations.
They are grappling with extreme poverty, hunger, inequality, and growing debt.
They are far behind in providing their citizens with access to basic services such as education, health, drinking water, electricity etc.
On top of these problems, mountainous countries like Nepal are extremely vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change despite their negligible emissions.
They are also deprived of the benefits of the technological and digital revolution.
Against this backdrop, the theme of the Summit ‘Leaving no one behind’ could not be more timely and pertinent.
Mr. Chairman,
Nonetheless, the silver lining is on the horizon.
The Global South is gradually emerging as an economic powerhouse.
Today, the Global South contributes to more than half of the world’s growth. Its share in the global GDP expanded from 19% in 1990 to 42% in 2022.
South-South trade has soared to hit $5.3 trillion in 2021.
With 134 member countries comprising over two-thirds of UN membership and 80% of the global population, the G77 and China is a strong force to be reckoned with.
The Group is a treasure trove of diverse cultures and resilient communities with rich history and traditions transcending through generations in shaping the world views in many ways fostering cooperation, solidarity, and harmony.
Mr. Chairman,
As per the global conflict tracker, inter- and intra-state conflicts continue to dominate the Global South. We are living in the crossroads of crisis and are suffering from various intertwined challenges.
Climate catastrophe is adding deeper woes to the Group. Inequality is growing within and between our countries.
With increased geopolitical tensions, commodity prices have become more volatile than ever.
Millions of people are left without food and shelter.
Millions of people are pushed back to extreme poverty due to the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts.
The post-pandemic recovery remained slow and uneven. And it appears increasingly out of reach for countries in special situations.
The achievement of the goals and targets of the SDGs seems mission impossible, particularly to the LDCs.
Mr. Chairman,
In this context, Nepal reiterates its vows that strong solidarity and deeper cooperation among the countries of the South are warranted more than ever.
We need sincerity, pragmatism, perseverance, and fairness in our collective efforts to foster cooperation and collaboration.
Together, we can deliver better and greater.
We must push for the fulfillment of the promises and commitments made by the developed countries in terms of ODA, climate financing, and technology transfer.
We must make continuous efforts to strengthen North-South, South-South, and Triangular Cooperation and consolidate progress achieved thus far in socio-economic development as well as technological advancement.
We have proven to ourselves during the COVID-19 pandemic the vitality and tenacity of our cooperation and solidarity. We must continue to foster and nurture such fraternities in a multitude of areas of South-South cooperation.
We must give due priority to helping LDCs enhance their trade, infrastructure, and productive capacity through renewed GSP and preferential trade facilities.
Moreover, the Group should take the lead in ‘decision-making and norm-setting’ inside the global development and economic architecture.
The Group should play a decisive role in making an inclusive and judicious multilateral system with stronger United Nations at its center.
The international financial architecture must be inclusive, innovative, and responsive to the specific needs and challenges of the developing countries including LDCs. A reformed global financial architecture must ensure the commensurate role of the Global South in decision-making and norm-setting.
Mr. Chairman,
Nepal, as a founding member of both the NAM and G77 and China, has remained committed to fostering solidarity, harmony, and cooperation among the members.
Nepal continues to increase its constructive and cooperative engagement with all countries in the world.
As the Chair of the Global Coordination Bureau of the LDCs, Nepal is striving to promote the overall interests of LDCs at all multilateral forums, including the G77 and China.
As the Chair, Nepal calls on all development partners to enhance their support to LDCs for the effective implementation of Doha Program of Action.
Nepal strongly supports the Group in advancing its common vision and shared interests to ensure the effective implementation of internationally agreed development goals, including the SDGs, and the Paris Agreement.
Mr. Chairman,
In conclusion, let us reaffirm our steadfast commitment to the strong unity, solidarity, and cooperation among us.
Let us unite in addressing common challenges of development.
Let us commit to leaving no one behind and putting the last first.
Let us stand together for our people, planet, and shared prosperity.
Thank you.