KATHMANDU: Nepal’s image and standing on the international stage have been enhanced through its active participation in the 81st United Nations General Assembly and related programmes, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah returned home on Saturday after participating in the General Assembly. Briefing the media at Tribhuvan International Airport about the visit, Acting Foreign Secretary Ganesh Prasad Dhakal said Nepal’s active participation in the UN General Assembly had helped enhance the country’s standing internationally.
Prime Minister Shah had departed for New York on Ashoj 6 to attend the high-level week of the 81st UN General Assembly, being held at the UN headquarters from September 22 to 28.
Shah addressed the General Debate on September 24. According to Dhakal, he highlighted the devastating Bhotekoshi flood of last month as a serious impact of the climate crisis and a warning to the world.
Shah drew the international community’s attention to the heavy loss of life and property caused by the disaster and its impact on infrastructure and livelihoods.
He also highlighted the effects of climate change on mountain ecosystems and said the melting of glaciers and permafrost was increasing the risks of disasters including avalanches, floods and landslides.
During his address, Shah proposed establishing a “Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism” for monitoring vulnerable glacial lakes, strengthening early warning systems and improving cross-border coordination during disasters.
Shah also called for world peace, saying, “May the world be able to follow the path shown by Buddha,” Dhakal said.
During the visit, Shah held a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Guterres expressed deep condolences over the loss of life and property in the Bhotekoshi disaster and said the United Nations stood in solidarity with Nepal on climate issues.
Shah thanked Guterres for his goodwill toward Nepal and congratulated him on his successful tenure. He also noted that Nepal had suffered significant losses from the Bhotekoshi disaster and that the risk of glacial lake outburst floods remained high.
Shah also held a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, during which the two sides discussed various issues of bilateral interest.
Meanwhile, Acting Foreign Secretary Dhakal said Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has been participating in ministerial-level meetings held during the General Assembly involving the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, Non-Aligned Movement, Group of 77 and China, among others.
Khanal has also been addressing other high-level discussions and side events organised by the United Nations and holding meetings with his counterparts from neighbouring and friendly countries as well as senior UN officials.
Comment