The region is eagerly waiting for the Triathlon’s Asian Cup and South Asian Championship that is scheduled to begin on April 27, 2019.

The officials are on final stages of key preparations and the participating teams have already arrived in Pokhara on April 25, 2019.

“This event was fixed a year ago, so we have already made required preparations for that,’’ says Kaski Triathlon Association Secretary Prakash Baral.

Triathlon Events

The triathlon tournament is featuring wide varieties of sports events, including a 759-mt swimming competition, 20-km cycling event and a 5-km race.

Swimming competition has been planned to be held in Fewa Lake, while the race will be a circuit from Hima Griha-Shahid Chowk, Mustang Chowk, Birauta Chowk, Damside, National Bank Chowk and back to Hima Griha.

Whereas, cycling will see a four-round circuit covering a distance of 5-km race.

The event will witness a total of 27 players (20 men and 7 women) from around 9 nations including Nepal, Korea, Japan, Lithuania, Poland, Australia, Kazakhstan, India and Bangladesh.

The highest number of players in the tournament are coming from Japan, while Nepal is presenting five of its players, followed by India (3) and Bangladesh (2), among others.

The International Triathlon Union has extended its financial support of USD 1,000 for the tournament.

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The exhibition titled ‘Art for SDGs: the Mithila Heritage’ was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York. #NepalinNY

Speaking on the occasion, Nepal’s UN Representative Amrit Bahadur Rai highlighted the significance of Mithila Art in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its relevance to the current era.

The art exhibition aims to highlight the richness of Mithila Art and its role in implementing SDGs.

In his address, Mayor of Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City Lal Kishor Sah added that the Mithila art paintings “demonstrate not only our commitment but also our community’s cultural base for the promotion and realization” of UN SDGs.

Women artists of Janakpur Women’s Development Center and a New York-based artist Ajit Kumar Sah created the collection exhibited at the event. The paintings depict 17 SDGs in Mithila art themes of love, beauty, nature and harmony.

The event saw the participation of New York-based diplomats along with NY-based Nepali community representatives.

The paintings will be on display until April 12, 2019, informed a press release by the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN in New York.

Also Read:-

• Nepal Contemporary Art to Spell-Bind International Art Lovers

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The event was held on a grand scale with exclusive fashion show in three different sequences.

The show saw twelve models in different attires that displayed the craftsmanship of three different designers.

The first round of the show saw creative presentations by the Namuna College of Fashion technology representing nature and its various inspirational elements.

The second round of the show portrayed traditional Nepali attires transformed into modern style in different colors. Natural colors and fabric designs of Nepali raw silk, silk, organza and various types of Nepali Dhaka stood as special appearances.

The last round portrayed splendid dresses as a combination of culture, tradition, style, texture, color that fit Nepali society. Interestingly, every dress presented was hand-made using materials such as hand-spun silk, organza silk and pashmina.

A special appearance of the former Miss Nepal Evan Manandhar was the major highlight of the show that stood as the show stopper.

The fashion show was choreographed by Rojin Shakya and Singer Sabina Karki added to the beauty of the show with melodies that brought a lively feel.

The event declared Shyam Badan Shrestha, chairman of Nepal Knot craft center, was announced as the winner of the SCWEC Nepal Best Woman Entrepreneur 2018 title.

Now, Shrestha will compete with other woman entrepreneurs from SAARC in the final round of the competition to be held on March 02, 2019 in Sri Lanka, Colombo.

The post Run for SAARC Best Woman Entrepreneur 2018 Title Begins! appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

The championship concluded in Mumbai (India) on December 24, 2018 saw Nepal winning the main title bagging 20 gold medals.

A squad from the Sports Science Academy of Nepal bagged these awards towards Kata and Kumite along with two silvers as well, informed Academy Director Nabin Upreti.

Junior players also got the chance to showcase their talents; Sonim Manandhar alone won three gold including in 45-kg Kumite and junior Kata.

Sanju Deshar was another who won two golds in 35-kg Kumite and U-13 Kata.

Muna Shakya in 40-kg Kumite and U-14 Kata, Asmita Rai in 55-kg Kumite and U-15, Rashmi Pandey in 45-kg Kumite and U-16 Kat, Bimala Nepali in 45-kg Kumite (senior) and senior Kata, and Hrishav Raj Giri in U-16, 55 kg Kumite and Kata were among others who clinched gold medals in the championship.

Players who won golds in the President Running Shield over the three previous years got a chance to perform in this international event.

The post International Karate Championship 2018: Nepal Marks Victory With 20 Gold Medals appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

IOM is working on this multi-purpose evacuation center in partnership with the Changu Narayan Municipality in Bhaktapur District in the Kathmandu Valley.

The initiative is part of the IOM project titled ‘People to People Support for Building Community Resilience through Recovery and Reconstruction in Nepal (P2P)’ funded by the Royal Thai Government. 

The ground-breaking ceremony of this project was held on December 14, 2018 at Helmet Danda, Bhaktapur amid the presence of district officials and representatives from the Ministry of Urban Development and the Armed Forces, among others.

Thai Ambassador to Nepal Bhakavat Tanskul, IOM Chief of Mission Paul Norton and Changu Narayan Municipality Mayor Som Prasad Mishra were among key officials present at the event.

Developing Resilience

“Today’s ground-breaking ceremony is an auspicious moment for our two countries. It represents Thailand’s support to strengthen disaster risk reduction and empower Nepali people in (this) disaster-prone area… The funds for this project came from the Thai people under the Thai Heart for Nepal programme to help Nepal recover from the 2015 earthquake,” said Ambassador Bhakavat, speaking on the occasion.

Meanwhile, IOM Chief of Mission Paul Norton said that there is a need to develop resilient disaster recovery mechanism for Nepal owing to its high vulnerability to natural disasters.

Norton feels that the ongoing post-earthquake reconstruction work is an opportunity for the country to incorporate risk reduction measures while rebuilding damaged infrastructure to eliminate pre-existing vulnerabilities.

“This pre-designated, multi-hazard resistant community center will be used to host displaced people, giving priority to the most vulnerable, including pregnant women, children, people with special needs and the elderly,” Norton added.

“The center will also serve as a venue for community activities, including women’s and youth groups, community-based training, recreational pursuits, adult literacy classes, information dissemination and income generating activities,” IMO said in an official release.

Changu Narayan Municipality Mayor Som Prasad Mishra called the new evacuation centre as another stepping stone towards municipality’s commitment to develop a disaster-resilient community.

Mishra thanked Thailand and IOM for supporting the municipality’s disaster preparedness, risk reduction and resilience efforts. 

According to the official release, IOM is planning similar structures in seven other municipalities of quake-affected districts: Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Gorkha, Dhading, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha.

“Meanwhile, UNDP and other humanitarian agencies have agreed to provide water, sanitation and hygiene facilities,” the release added.

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The whole world is now eagerly watching Nepal for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) Summit 2018 that is all set to held on November 30-December 03, 2018.

The Summit is being termed as an event of high significance in the world geopolitical scenario, majorly in bringing a strategic shift in the positioning of Asian nations.

Interestingly, the Summit is coming up just days after the recently-concluded Asia-Pacific trade talks in Papua New Guinea, which ended as a major trade war between the world powers.

Various Asia-Pacific countries have already announced their attendance for the APAC Summit 2018 summit and many others are making their plans.

Asia-Pacific Summit 2018 Highlights

Asia-Pacific Summit 2018 is the first extended international-level summit that Nepal hosted after the BIMSTEC Summit 2018.

The Asia-Pacific Summit 2018 was held on a grand scale with world leaders presenting their keynote addresses and various other attendees and delegates present a wide range of topics such as terrorism, climate change, government-government cooperation, social security, regional development, among others.

• The Summit began with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s inaugural address, where he called on for increased participation and collaboration of governments, private sector and social groups for regional development
• Former Indian Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda addressed the gathering on the issues pertaining to terrorism and climate change, terming them as the world’s biggest challenges in the present scenario
• Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi called on for collaborative work with regard to fighting terrorism, migration and displacement, injustice and, hunger and poverty

Leaders Pitch for World Peace and Climate Change
Addressing the summit, world leaders pitched for measures to tackle poverty and hunger as a means to achieve world peace.

Taking APAC Summit 2018 as the platform, the leaders urged for common agenda and programs in line with changing global context to address common issues.

Citing terrorism and human trafficking among the world’s top challenges, the world leaders called on for increased collaboration among countries to tackle them.

“Collaboration can be the main agenda of peace and development. We have been stressing on it,” said Vice-President of Philippines, Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo.

Head of the State of Samoa Afioga Tuimalealiifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II pointed at climate change as a serious concern.

Head of the State of Tuvalu Lakoba Taeia Italeni stressed on the need for safeguarding natural resources for present and future generations, and also give youth a proper direction towards education.

Journalism and Social Media Influence
Renowned journalists from several countries, who took part in the Summit, discussed the role of media in the present context, globally. They raised concerns over the rising trend of fake news all across, attributing to the rise of social media influence.

Social media influence is posing a serious challenge to the reliability of actual media sources, they opined. In this regard, they pitched on the need for self-regulation that supports ‘freedom of expression’ and ‘clean journalism’.

Washington Times president Thomas P McDevitt said that this trend is causing a credibility issue on the information. In this regard, Devitt urged the journalist community to pitch for ‘world peace’ in their ‘new media’ strategy.

Oli Gets ‘Leadership and Good Governance Award’

On the sidelines of the summit, the organizer of the APAC summit 2018 Universal Peace Foundation conferred Prime Minister Oli with the ‘Leadership and Good Governance Award’.  The award appreciates Oli for his efforts in performing a leadership role and ensuring good governance across the country. The rare honor included a certificate of appreciation along with a cash prize of USD 100,000.

In response, Oli said he is receiving this award on behalf of the government and decided to deposit the cash in the state fund for Nepali youth and children’s welfare.

EndNote
The two-day Asia-Pacific Summit, under the theme ‘Addressing Critical Challenges of Our Time: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values’, concluded successfully on December 02, 2018.

The Summit ended with a seven-point Kathmandu Declaration for Peace and Development by Nepal calling the world community to study Nepal’s peace process as an example for conflict resolution.

“The summit appealed to the world community to study Nepal’s peace process where, after a decade of conflict and violence, armed militants handed over their weapons to the United Nations, and together with other democratic parties participated in constituent assembly elections, rewrote the constitution, integrated two armies, restructured the state, formed the federal democratic republic of Nepal—an unprecedented and historic achievement,” reads the declaration.

The declaration called for urgent measures against climate change concerns, women empowerment and creating more opportunities for youth, transforming them into leadership roles.

Other interesting updates about Nepal’s #APACSummit2018

1. Dispute Over Hosting Summit
As the Nepal Government began preparations for the Summit, the prime opposition Nepali Congress criticized the Nepal Government and Nepal Federal Parliament for co-hosting the summit in collaboration with South Korea’s Universal Peace Federation (UPF)’s Nepal chapter. In a press conference, NC termed the act as ‘anti-constitutional’ stating that’s promoting a ‘particular religion’.

“The government decision to co-host an event that preaches a certain religion violates the spirit of the constitution,” NC said in a release.  Meanwhile, following the controversy, UPF retracted its statement on the UPF official site, renaming Nepal as the Summit ‘supporter’ and not co-host.

2. Operation of Vehicles
On account of the Summit, the Government of Nepal has announced that it would operate vehicle movement based on the odd and even number plate system during four days of the Summit, with effect from November 29, 2018. The prime intention is to facilitate the movement of guests.

3. Expenditure for the Summit
Exactly a day before the start of the prestigious Summit came to limelight, the row over the release of funds for the preparations. Going deep into the matter, the Home Ministry had reportedly asked NPR 320 million funds for preparations of the Summit, a month ago. However, the latest report says that the Finance Ministry did not give its nod and handed over only NPR 20 million to the Home Ministry, denying any fund to the Foreign Ministry and the Department of Roads. The Finance Ministry clarified that the requested fund was almost double to what was spent for the BIMSTEC Summit 2018 (NPR 175 million) for deploying resources.

While, it comes to a surprise that the key organizer of the Summit, UPF is spending NPR 200 million to host the conference.

4. Key Delegate Visits
Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi is scheduled to pay an official visit to Nepal on the sidelines of the APAC Summit 2018. Kyi’s visit is going to be the first such state visit of a Myanmar Counsellor-level official since June 2014.

In another update, The Philippines Vice-President Leni Robredo has also confirmed her Kathmandu visit on November 28, 2018, for the Summit. Robredo will deliver a keynote address on the first day of the Summit on December 01, 2018.

As the reports say, former Pakistan premier Yusuf Raza Gilani has already left his country to attend the Summit in Nepal. Yusuf Raza Gilani is attending to address the Summit upon a special invitation from Nepal PM Oli through Nepalis peace and re-construction minister and IAPP Asia-Pacific Chairman EK Nath Dhakal and Nepalese Ambassador Sewa Lamsal informed Gilani House Spokesperson.

Former Indian Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, former Vice-President of Afghanistan Karim Khalili, Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia Prak Sokhonn, and Head of States from Nauru, Samoa and Tuvalu are among others expected at the event.

The list also includes former Presidents of Palau (Johnson Toribiong), Iran (Hassan Ghafoori Fard), the Marshall Islands (Kessai Note and Christopher J Loeak), Vanuatu (Ati George Sokamanu) and Kiribati (Anote Tong).

Asia-Pacific Summit 2018 is one of the world’s biggest events with over 500 distinguished guests from around 45 countries and 1500 participants from the Asia-Pacific region alone.

5. A Tight 4-Layered Security
Nepal Government is adopting a four-layer security strategy to ensure the security of dignitaries vesting the country for the Asia-Pacific Summit 2018. Under the plan, around 3,500 police personal are being deployed in Kathmandu. Nepal Army will take charge of the central security layer besides coordinating with the Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and the National Intelligence Department (NID) in other security aspects.

According to the security personnel, the same technical equipment used for BIMSTEC 2018 will be applied for this Summit as well. For the first time, Nepali police are also planning to use drones for tight security at the event venue.

6. Special Cover to Myanmar Official
Nepal human rights are eagerly about the visit of Myanmar Counsellor & Minister of Foreign Affairs Aung San Suu Kyi, who is set to arrive in Kathmandu for a two-day visit on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Summit. As the reports say, human rights agencies are pushing the government to seek the Kyi’s attention to discuss on repatriation of Rohingya refugees in Nepal.

Nepal Human Rights Commission has already requested the government to make their stand clear to the Myanmar Counselor on the safe departure of their refugees in Nepal. Towards this end, the rights bodies are also urging the government to seek international support in this issue. Worried about rights body statements, Nepal Government is planning a security measure to San Suu Kyi.

7. Asia-Pacific Summit 2018: Organizers and Agenda
The Asia-Pacific Summit 2018 will primarily focus on the peace process, conflict, climate change, along with strengthening marriage and family system, alongside supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UPF is the prime organizer of the event, which will also be supported by other partners and supporters including the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace and the International Conference of Asian Political Parties. This is going to be the next big summit for Nepal in the year after the BIMSTEC 2018!

Photo Highlights

1.Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli addressing the Asia-Pacific Summit 2018

2. Myanmar State Counselor & Minister of Foreign Affairs Aung San Suu Kyi in Nepal for the Asia-Pacific Summit

3. Nepal Defense Minister Ishwor Pokharel welcomes Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen in Kathmandu on his arrival

4. Public wait on roads as a result of the odd-even number plate system announced by the government to facilitate free vehicle movement for delegates attending the Summit

The post Asia-Pacific Summit 2018: A Glance at Latest Updates appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

The 2^nd U-21 South Asian Regional Badminton Championship is starting on November 27, 2018, at the Armed Police Force (APF)’s Covered Hall in Halchowk.

The championship that will run up to December 02, 2018 is all set to witness participants from South Asian nations including India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, informed Nabin Bikram Shah, Secretary of the Nepal Badminton Association (NBA).

The tournament will see a total of eight players, four men and women, from Nepal. And, three men and three women will also join the championship from the other participating nations.

The events part of the championship include: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles and Mixed Team.

The 1^st edition of the championship was organized in Guwahati, India, where Nepal grabbed a silver medal in the Mixed event and bronze in Men’s Doubles.

Will have to wait and watch what Nepal gets this time!

Then Body Building, Now Badminton!
It’s noteworthy here that Nepal is hosting this prestigious sports event after the success of the 1^st South Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship on November 24-25, 2018.

The championship concluded with Umesh Rai of Nepal winning the title! Now, Nepal will definitely be riding on its confidence drawn from this championship and is expected to deliver a similar dashing performance in Badminton too!

The post 2nd U-21 South Asian Badminton Championship in Nepal From Today appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Nepali Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Tham Maya Thapa issued a statement as part of the Sixth Periodic Review of Nepal at the session.

Thapa informed CEDAW about the steps and measures taken by the Government of Nepal towards safeguarding women rights, end discrimination against women and implementable measures for women empowerment.

Speaking in detail about the initiatives, Thapa informed that Nepal Government has enacted 16 laws in support of fundamental rights and freedoms provisions as promulgated by the constitution.

She went on to say that Nepal has made important achievements to institutionalize women’s rights since the time it ratified CEDAW.

“Nepal became a state party to CEDAW when the multiparty system was restored in the country in the early 1990s. We have been making efforts in line with the set principles and spirit of CEDAW since then,” reads Thapa’s statement.

Speaking further on active women participation in national politics, Thapa said, “Women’s representation through election has reached over 40 percent. This level of participation of women at the political and policy making level has set a milestone in the history of women representation in Nepal,”

She spoke on various other issues pertaining to safeguarding of women rights and women empowerment.

See: Full Statement of Tham Maya Thapa to the 71^st CEDAW Session

Another Nepali official, the Ambassador/Permanent Representative Deepak Dhital also highlighted Nepal Government’s initiatives towards social equality, equality, socio-economic empowerment and status enhancement of Nepali women in an inclusive manner.

He said the government is currently reviewing and revisioning the existing laws along with developing new legal frameworks under its federal set-up.

See: Full text of H.E. Deepak Dhital’s Statement to the 71^st CEDAW Session

Other officials including the Joint Secretary of Women Ministry Radhika Aryal and Joint Secretary of Nepali Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Phanindra Gautam also informed the delegates about legal provisions put forth by the Government of Nepal.

Besides participating in interactive sessions, Minister Thapa thanked for a constructive dialogue with the CEDAW Committee and hoped this would help Nepal strengthen its efforts towards promotions and protection of rights of women.

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Pokhrel was speaking on the side-lines of the Second Girls Conference-2018 organized by the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizen in Kathmandu on September 30, 2018.

“Despite the various constitutional laws meant for protecting girls, sex-selective birth is still prevalent in the country. Social awareness is necessary to save girls right from the womb. Girls are married off in their teens when the legal marriage age for girls in Nepal is 20 years. This has to stop,” says Ishwor Pokhrel.

He went on to say that the government will be ready to make any changes to the laws that pose legal complexities to the protection of girls.

In this regard, he called on the central and provincial governments to come up with collaborative measures to curb crimes against girls.

Meanwhile, Minister Tham Maya Thapa urged on the need for fight against gender-based violence.

British Prince Harry conveyed his message to the conference wishing the children of Nepal a bright future.

“We need to create a sound environment for children to facilitate their learning and good health so as to make them self-reliant and responsible citizens,” said President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

The President also called for children-friendly policies and laws.

The conference was held under the theme ‘competent girls: prosperous Nepal’ and aims to introduce a substantial plan to protect girls.

The post Nepal Ready to Amend Constitution for Girl Child Protection appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

In the similar lines, Nepal has recently participated in another annual global-level conference, the 73rd edition of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held in New York.

Nepali delegation, including Foreign Affairs Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and others led by the country’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli actively participated various meetings and sessions as part of the #UNGA session.

On the side-lines of the session, PM Oli and Foreign Minister Gyawali held separate and joint meetings with heads of various states present at the session and discussed on ways to enhance Nepal’s bilateral ties with world nations.

Finally, the Prime Minister has addressed the 73rd UNGA Session on September 27, 2018.

Here is the full text of PM’s address:

I extend warm felicitations to you on your election to the presidency of this Assembly. 

The outgoing President deserves our appreciation for successfully steering the Assembly’s work.

We commend the Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, for the dedication, commitment and leadership with which he has been serving the Organization.

As we commemorate the 100^th  birth anniversary of Nelson Mandela, I would like to pay my profound respect to him and for the cause he fought for. An iconic figure, he was a great human soul and remains a source of inspiration for peace, justice, harmony, forgiveness and reconciliation. 

This year, we have lost an outstanding diplomat and visionary Secretary General Kofi Annan. I also pay sincere tributes for the tremendous contributions he made to promote peace, development and human rights in the world. 

Madam President,

I bring greetings and best wishes from the Land of Buddha and Sagarmatha also known as Mount Everest for the success of this session.

Since I addressed from this podium in 2006, Nepal has undergone historic political transformation.

Through dialogue and deliberations, through mutual respect and accommodation, we steered a uniquely successful home-grown, nationally led and owned peace process.  

It was about peaceful transformation of an armed conflict; 

It was about restructuring of the State and promoting unity in diversity; 

It was about making Nepali people truly sovereign and as source of state power; and

It was about institutionalizing and consolidating all those achievements in a democratic constitution through a popularly elected Constituent Assembly. 

Despite the difficulties in the wake of devastating earthquakes, the political leaders rose to the occasion with a common resolve to promulgate the constitution in September 2015, thereby fulfilling the seven-decade long people’s aspiration to write their own constitution.

The Constitution of Nepal not only consolidates democratic polity under a federal republican order, but also embodies extensive rights and freedoms of the people. Separation of power, checks and balances, the rule of law, independence of judiciary, periodic elections, inclusive and proportional representation are the defining features of the Constitution. 

Our vision is of a comprehensive democracy that empowers individuals not only politically, but also socially, economically and culturally.

Implementing the Constitution was another paramount task before us. We accomplished this historic task last year through free, fair and impartial elections of federal, provincial and local levels with record turnout and the participation of the people from all sections of our society. Most importantly, the elections brought 41 percent of women into elected bodies. We remain committed to bridging the gap of the remaining 9 percent. 

The elections not only ensured democratic rights of Nepali people in the widest possible manner, it has also produced a strong government in many years. The Government that I head has over three-fourth support of the parliament. Governments in the provinces also enjoy strong majority support. We have achieved much needed political stability through these landmark elections.

With these historic achievements, we have laid the foundation towards creating an egalitarian and just society where all citizens are treated equally and receive equal protection and opportunities. Social justice remains at the center of our polity. 

The United Nations and the international community supported our peace process for which we are grateful.

Nepal’s case is a unique example of peaceful and democratic transformation. It is a telling testimony that dialogue triumphs the differences; and ballot triumphs the bullets.

We believe that what Nepal has achieved in conflict transformation can be an inspiring success story for many people longing for peace in different parts of the world. We are willing to share our experiences and provide our insights.  

With hard lessons learned in the arduous journey of democratic transition, we have now emerged as a confident nation, capable of sustaining political gains and undertaking a course for economic transformation. Cognizant of the need for accelerating the process of development, my Government has set a vision for ‘Prosperous Nepal and Happy Nepali’. 

We will realize this vision with the right mix of prudent utilization of natural resources and the optimal mobilization and management of human resources that we are endowed with. We count on continued goodwill, support and cooperation from the international community in our development endeavors.

Our foreign policy guides us to maintain amity with all and enmity with none. It has shaped our independent outlook on global issues which we consider on merit basis.

We believe that regional and global efforts complement our national development efforts.  

In line with our foreign policy priority to regional cooperation, we have recently hosted the 4^th Summit meeting of BIMSTEC. We would like to see a revitalized SAARC as an important regional organization.

Excellencies,

The world today is at an important juncture; with a unique juxtaposition of perils and promises. 

Challenges ranging from poverty, terrorism, climate change, food insecurity, forced displacement and natural disasters to arms race continue to confront the global community. Intra-state conflicts have taken heavy toll on millions of lives. For the first time in decades, world hunger is rising after a prolonged decline. 

In many regions, peace remains obscure. Inequality within nations, as well as among them, is increasing. Countries have failed to adopt sustainable production and consumption patterns. 

In this context, the theme of the general debate “Making the United Nations relevant to all people: Global leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies” resonates well the need of our time.

Madam President, Nepal supports the seven priority areas that you eloquently outlined in your inaugural address to this Assembly earlier this week.

I hope the current session will seriously deliberate on these priority areas with seriousness and urgency they deserve. 

Here lies our political will and determination. 

With this commitment we must ensure that the voice of the people struggling for their rights, liberty, freedom and justice in various parts of the world, including Syria, Yemen, Palestine and many other places must be heard and addressed.  

Madam President

The pursuit of making the UN relevant to all people is well captured in the philosophy of ‘leaving no one behind’.

In its third year, global efforts in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda appear too few and far insufficient. Needless to say, the least developed countries are the battleground on which the 2030 Agenda will be won or lost. 

Development in LDCs appears dismal despite a record performance of global economy. International support measures are failing to make a dent. Implementation of the internationally agreed commitments made in their favor is far below our expectation. 

Reaching furthest behind first is not a luxury. It is not a charity either. It is an international obligation, a duty and social responsibility. 

The impact will be fully realized only when external support measures respect national ownership and leadership, are aligned with national priorities, come through national system, while they help build productive capacity, job creation and develop human resources.  

Only through smooth access to market, removal of trade barriers, injecting finance and investment, building capacity and transfer of technology and overcoming the infrastructural bottlenecks can enable LDCs and LLDCs take path to sustainable development and integrate themselves in the global value chains. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

When it comes to climate change; the clock of caution is ticking loud. 

The impact of climate change burdens the poorest and the most vulnerable countries, like my own country Nepal, despite their negligible emission. We cannot remain a bystander when snow-clad mountains, known as water towers of the world, are receding and glaciers are retreating, erratic weather patterns causing floods and inundation in the plains. It is an unpleasant irony that we have been victim of the catastrophes that we did not contribute for its causality.

The impacts of climate change on mountain and small island countries have been felt as existential threat. The loss of lives, properties and bio-diversity, and increasing phenomenon of calamities are becoming untenable. 

A matching and robust response is required. We cannot evade from the responsibility nor will there be any excuse for inaction. We must act decisively in ensuring climate justice that respects the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. To make this happen, international cooperation and collaboration for adaption and mitigation is sine qua non. The Paris Agreement must be implemented in its entirety and good faith.

Madam President,

The health and well being of our children and youths is an investment for future. Delivering quality education, imparting skills, and spurring innovation can make a virtuous composite to enable youths to be relevant and be able to contribute to society and nation building. 

We must support for the full development of their potentials, their creativity and energy to flourish. Inculcating entrepreneurial spirit and creating decent job opportunities for the youths can fuel economic development and help positively transform our societies. 

At the same time, we must also inculcate them with the civil and moral values so that they become a force for harmony and tolerance in society.

Madam President,

The frontiers of technologies are ever expanding, and they have been major driving force for societal transformation. But the digital dividend is unevenly distributed, while the digital divide is widening.

Technology has been a powerful agent of change and transformation. At the same time, technological revolution is disruptive. The developing countries, especially LDCs, are struggling to cope with the new modes of production and consumption. We must create an environment to ensure easy access to affordable technology and free the barriers for their transfer. This will provide a level playing field to all countries to benefit and propel economic growth through new technologies.

Excellencies,

This year, the UN has taken boldest of the reform initiatives in decades. The cross-pillar restructuring of the organization gives us an important opportunity to strengthen its development pillar and prove its efficiency in delivery.

We believe that the re-positioned UN development system will better deliver on 2030 Agenda. 

To ensure a sound system, learning the new methods by a new generation of Country Teams is important. But more than that, unlearning the old habits – that implored us to undertake this reform – is equally important. 

What matters also in the reform is the transformation of the culture. The new culture must have accountability, transparency and national ownership at its core.

Nepal welcomes the reforms undertaken in peace and security architecture as well as management of the organization. UN should reflect the mosaic of its membership, and achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness.  

The Security Council reform is long overdue. Any reform must reflect the current realities and ensure justice to historically under-represented and developing countries.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Nepal reaffirms its principled stand for a general and complete disarmament of all weapons of mass destruction.

In this context, we welcome the recent efforts made by the United States and two Koreas towards denuclearization and peace and stability of the Korean peninsula. 

Nepal welcomes the Secretary General’s Agenda for Disarmament with a hope of renewed impetus to disarmament. Nepal commends the beginning of deliberations under the ‘Kathmandu Process’ for developing innovative confidence building measures in the Asia Pacific region.

No region is immune from the menace of terrorism. Nepal strongly condemns all acts of terrorism, committed by whomsoever and for whatever purposes.

Nepal calls for an early conclusion of a comprehensive convention against terrorism.

Madam President,

Never has been the issue of human mobility so prominent in the agenda of the United Nations. 

Nepal looks forward to the December Conference for the formal adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. 

Ensuring human rights and well being of all migrant workers remain our priority. Nepal believes that the Compact will serve this purpose and make migration work for all.

Nepal has hosted thousands of refugees for decades on a humanitarian ground. The international community must uphold the refugees’ right to return to their homeland safely and with full dignity.

Madam President,

The complexities and intractability of global conflicts render the current thrust on conflict prevention even more important. Mediation, an under-utilized tool, can be applicable in all phases of the conflict continuum. 

Nepal recently marked the six decades of partnership for peace with the UN. Nepal has responded to every call, even at the shortest notice and without national caveats. 

Nepal welcomes the Secretary General’s initiative of ‘Action for Peacekeeping’ and has endorsed the Declaration on Peacekeeping Operations. Troops and police contributing countries must be given fair opportunities to serve at the leadership positions, both in the headquarters and the field missions. 

A sustained partnership for capacity building of peacekeepers and providing for their safety and security can enhance performance of peace operations. Nepal condemns attacks on peacekeepers. Ending the indignity of sexual exploitation and abuse is a must.

Nonetheless, peace missions alone cannot substitute the home-grown preventive as well as conflict resolution measures.Our own experience tells that peacekeeping cannot do what the politically-negotiated settlements can.

Excellencies,

Nepal’s commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights is total and unflinching. 

We hold that development, democracy and respect for human rights as interdependent and mutually reinforcing. 

As a member of the Human Rights Council, we will continue to play our constructive role to deliver on Council’s mandates.

The ongoing transitional justice process in Nepal respects the comprehensive peace accord as well as the ground reality for sustaining peace and delivering justice. We will not allow impunity in serious violations of human rights and humanitarian laws.  

Madam President,

We are living in an uncertain world. Cold-war rivalries are re-surfacing. Trade tensions are building up. Multilateralism is being questioned. 

The Secretary General’s opening statement largely captures the realities of contemporary world and the sentiment of the Member States; be it in the field of peace and security or in sustainable development, climate change, migration and technology. 

We underscore the centrality of the United Nations as the most legitimate multilateral forum to deliberate on the challenges that we all confront globally. It is the obligation of all Member States to preserve the sanctity of multilateralism and uphold respect for international law. The problems that we confront today at global scale can only be overcome by global collaboration and partnership in absolute trust and confidence.

We are yet to make international system truly inclusive that promotes fairness, equality and justice for all states, bigger or smaller. 

Before I conclude, Madam President, let me reiterate Nepal’s profound commitment to the principles and purposes enshrined in the UN Charter. We remain as firm as we have been in past 63 years since we joined this organization.

The onus to give direction to the world lies on us. Our collective wisdom and leadership should aim at the realization of aspiration of all for peace and prosperity. 

Let us make a collective resolve that the 21^st century history will not be written as a history of confrontation and conflict; of poverty, exclusion and under-development; of injustice and exploitation. 

It should rather be a history of cooperation and harmony; of prosperity, inclusion and development; and of justice and fairness. 

Thank you.

*End of the Speech*

Source Link: The Permanent Mission of UN to Nepal

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