Statement by Prime Minister and the Leader of Nepali Delegation Right Honorable Mr. K P Sharma Oli at the High-level Meeting to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the United Nation
(New York, 21 September 2020)
Theme: The future we want, the United Nations we need: Reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism
Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary General,
Distinguished delegates.
It is a privilege to be part of this historic occasion marking the 75th anniversary of the UN.
We are convening at an unprecedented time.
The impacts of COVID-19 have hit across lives, economies and societies with toughest brunt felt by the weakest and most vulnerable countries.
Today is an occasion to reaffirm our commitment to peace, prosperity and justice.
We, as humanity, have a responsibility to strengthen the UN and empower it as the centre of multilateralism to deal with the complex challenges the world is confronting.
Nepal’s partnership with the United Nations has been ever-growing in all three pillars.
We have been providing one of the most dedicated and professional services to the UN peace operations for over six decades.
The UN has been a key partner in our development process.
We continue to contribute to the protection and promotion of human rights constructively. We believe that all human rights are equal and must be treated in their totality.
Mr. President,
The United Nations is at ‘generational crossroads’ of continuity and transformation.
It faces a test of delivering on the ever-increasing expectations:
– to protect the neediest countries and peoples,
– to promote the sovereign equality and dignity of all,
– to fight against the threats like pandemics, climate crisis and terrorism, and
– to ensure total elimination of nuclear, chemical, biological, radiological and all other weapons of mass destruction.
Building on the achievements, it is also our collective responsibility to make the world body more ‘fit for purpose’.
Now is the time to do so.
First, there is no alternative to unity, solidarity and cooperation. We must reaffirm these values and commit ourselves to move beyond rhetoric to action.
Second, it is important that the UN is focused on the twelve ‘action points’ highlighted in the Declaration we adopted today and mobilize support for the entirety of the SDGs so that no one is left behind.
Third, with timely reforms, we must enable UN to build a just, fair, and rules-based international order where no nation is superior than others.
Finally, we need to strengthen the UN and ensure that it is stronger and better prepared to tackle the existential threats and emergencies.
To conclude, Mr. President, let us solemnly commit ourselves at this historic 75th anniversary to build a more prosperous and happy global community in an atmosphere of comprehensive democracy. Let us make the UN fit for this purpose.
Thank you!