PM Shah’s address to 81st UNGA becomes historic: FM Khanal

Kathmandu, Oct 2: Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has shared that Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly has become a historic from many perspectives.

Briefing about Nepal’s participation and PM Shah’s address to the 81st UNGA in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Finance Minister Khanal mentioned that Prime Minister Shah’s address highlighted the fundamental aspects of national interest along with climate justice.

He clarified that the strong call made by PM Shah on the behalf of Nepal on the international community has drawn attention of the world to simplify and facilitate resource mobilization from climate finance mechanism and translate climate justice into practice. 

Finance Minister Khanal mentioned that the address is expected to prove a significant step to turn climate justice into reality for the countries at climate vulnerable like Nepal.

He briefed the House that Prime Minister Shah leading a high-level Nepali delegation had left for New York to participate in UNGA on September 22 and returned home on September 26, adding he also returned home on September 30 after participating multilateral and bilateral meetings including UNGA.

The Prime Minister addressed the ‘general debate’ of the UNGA on September 24 where he presented recent Bhotekoshi flood as the serious impact of climate crisis and warning for the world, drawing the attention of the global community about the huge loss of lives and properties, physical infrastructures and impact on livelihood, opined the Foreign Minister.

On the sideline of the UNGA, PM Shah held meeting with Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, where the UN Secretary General expressed solidarity with Nepal on the climate issue, he viewed.

Similarly, Foreign Minister Khanal added that he also participated in high-level meetings, programmes and held different bilateral meetings, keeping Nepal’s foreign policy and national interest in centre.

During the meetings, he opined that he on the behalf of Nepal and Nepali people extended gratitude for the significant support of the neighbouring countries, friendly nations and international communities in post-disaster search, relief and other support, adding he requested for the support in reconstruction task.

 Likewise, the issues related to climate justice Nepal should get were prioritized in other programmes, he emphasized.