Foreign Minister seeks support for Nepal’s candidacy at UN councils

GENEVA: Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Arzu Rana, is actively engaging in bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 58th High-Level Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

She is rallying support for Nepal’s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council (2027-2029), the Economic and Social Council (2029-2031), and the Security Council (2037-2038).

During these meetings, Rana also invited global leaders to participate in the upcoming Sagarmatha Dialogue in May, which will focus on climate change, mountains, and the future of humanity. She highlighted Nepal’s intention to involve the international community in addressing pressing environmental issues.

As Nepal prepares to graduate to a developing country status in 2026, Rana is seeking international support to navigate the challenges associated with this transition.

On Monday, Rana met with Norway’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Andrè Kravik, expressing gratitude for Norway’s role in Nepal’s peace process and its economic and social development. She also requested Norway’s support in amplifying Nepal’s voice on climate change and climate justice in international forums.

In a separate meeting with Kyrgyz Republic’s Deputy Prime Minister Edil Baisalov, discussions centered on climate change impacts and advancing the Himalayan and mountain agendas on global platforms. Similarly, Rana’s meeting with the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Philippines, Charles C. Jose, focused on strengthening Nepal-Philippines relations and exploring joint initiatives on climate change.

Rana previously addressed the 58th High-Level Session, reaffirming Nepal’s commitment to human rights protection and urging support for Nepal’s candidacy for the 2027-2029 term on the Human Rights Council.

World leaders praised Nepal’s human rights initiatives and its peace process model, recognizing the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal’s ‘A Grade’ certification by GANRI.

The high-level session is being attended by ministers and leaders from UN member states, with Nepal represented by a six-member delegation led by Rana, including senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nepal’s Permanent Mission in Geneva.