PM’s address to the 73rd UNGA: 21st century’s history should be of cooperation and harmony

Kathmandu, Sept. 28 (RSS): Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the Constitution of Nepal consolidates democratic polity, embodies rights and freedoms. Addressing the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) today, the PM said separation of power, checks and balances, rule of law, independence of judiciary, periodic elections, inclusive and proportional representation are defining features of the Constitution of Nepal.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the PM said we accomplished implementing Constitution through free, fair and impartial elections with record turnout of people from all sections of our society. “The elections brought 41% of women into elected bodies. We remain committed to bridging gap of the remaining 9 per cent,” PM Oli added.

Likewise, the PM stated that we have laid the foundation towards creating an egalitarian and just society where all citizens are treated equally and receive equal protection and opportunities. On the occasion, PM Oli said Nepal has undergone historic political transformation since 2006 and we steered a uniquely successful home-grown, nationally led and owned peace process through dialogue and deliberations, mutual respect and accommodation.

Regarding Nepal’s vision for ‘Prosperous Nepal and Happy Nepali’, PM Oli shared that it will be realized with right mix of prudent utilization of natural resources and the optimal mobilization and management of human resources that we are endowed with. “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,” PM Oli said.

According to the PM, challenges ranging from poverty, terrorism, climate change, food insecurity, forced displacement and natural disasters to arms race continue to confront the global community. Intra-sate conflicts have taken heavy toll on millions of lives. Arguing that 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, PM Oli went on to say that 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 favour is far below our expectation,” said Prime Minister Oli.

“Health and wellbeing 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 be relevant and be able to contribute to society and nation building,” the PM shared.

Sharing that the repositioned UN development system will better deliver on 2030 Agenda, Oli added 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 is equally important.

Furthermore, PM Oli said that 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,” Prime Minister Oli addressing said during his address to the 73rd UNGA.

“Ensuring human rights and wellbeing of all migrant workers remain our priority. Nepal believes that the Compact will serve this purpose and make migration work for all,” he added. Similarly, PM Oli said that Nepal’s commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights is total and unflinching and we hold that development, democracy and respect for human rights as interdependent and mutually reinforcing.

Likewise, he said it is 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”.

The PM said that 21st century history should not be written as a history of confrontation and conflict; of poverty, exclusion and under-development; of injustice and exploitation adding that 21st century’s history should be that of cooperation and harmony; of prosperity, inclusion and development; and of justice and fairness, said PM Oli.