PM Shah scheduled to address UN General Assembly on Sept 24

Kathmandu, Sept 11: Prime Minister Balendra Shah is scheduled to address the 81st session of UN General Assembly on September 24.

The high level deliberation in UNGA is conducted from September 22 to 28 in New York, USA.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared that the theme for the UN General Assembly this year is, ‘Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All’. As per information received from the UN, the General Assembly will be addressed by 81 heads of state and 50 heads of government including Nepal.

Secretary at Foreign Ministry, Amrit Bahadur Rai, informed media that the UNGA this year would be a significant opportunity for Nepal to present the priority agenda of the government, formed after last year’s Gen Z movement that followed successful election and huge mandate, to the international community. It will serve as a prominent occasion to make a high level call for and promote international support and good will to Nepal.

Secretary Rai said it during a news conference organized by the Foreign Ministry on Friday to inform media about PM Shah’s upcoming visit to the US for attending and addressing the 81st session of UNGA.

The Bhotekoshi flash floods occurred on August 26 caused irreparable loss. It has reinforced that Nepal is at high risk of climate change. “Irrespective of having negligible role in green house gas emission, the countries like Nepal are suffering worst due to climate change,” secretary Rai said, adding that PM Shah would make a presentation in the UNGA, drawing world attention on recurring loss of lives and property owing to climate change.

The government is planning to call global community for climate justice to Nepal including emergency support and proper compensation from the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD). The rich and developed countries will be appealed to transfer technology and provide climate finance with concession and easier process so that Nepal can construct climate-resilient infrastructures, promote climate-friendly agriculture and build capacity of the stakeholders, according to secretary Rai.

The issues to share before international community through the world forum are Nepal’s contribution to world environment through nature-friendly lifestyle, over 46 percent forest coverage, Himalayas and rivers system.

Nepal is also planning a side event ‘Sagarmatha to the Sea: A Call to Action for a Climate-Resilient Future’ focusing climate resilience during the UNGA in addition to its participation in various side events and high level discussions to be organized by the UNGA.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal is in the line up to attend the ministerial meetings of the least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), non-aligned countries, G-77 and China.

The Nepali delegation led by PM Shah will have the members including Foreign Minister Khanal, PM’s principal advisor Kumar Byanjankar, foreign secretary Rai and high-level officials.