Addressing the South Asia Peace Initiative (SAPI) programme on 'The Increasing Challenges from Extremism to Democracy: Issues and Responses' and the International Leadership Conference, organised by the Universal Peace Federation, here on Friday, PM Koirala said, "Guided by the spirit of national unity, and reconciliation based on mutual trust and confidence, and mutual understanding and accommodation, we have entered the final stage of constitution writing process."

He expressed confidence that with national unity, reconciliation and the universally accepted democratic principles with maximum flexibility at the centre of the process, the country would soon reach its final destination for an inclusive democratic constitution.

Stating that the nation firmly believed in the power of dialogue, negotiation and engagement, PM Koirala said democracy is the prerequisite for peace, stability, and development. 'Democracy is a way of life and to be effective needs constant nourishment from all of us and strengthening of democratic institutions," he added.

The teachings of the Gautam Buddha, son of Nepal, inspire us every day and every moment to practice compassion and non-violence to seek solutions to the pressing problems of the day. Mahatma Gandhi demonstrated how non-violence works and becomes able to win the just struggle for dignity and honour against powerful empires, he observed.

Touching on the challenges posed by terrorism around the globe and in particular in South Asia, the Prime Minister stated that South Asia has been the worst victim of terrorism, compounded by transnational crimes of various kinds. He added that Nepal was deeply concerned about the spread of militant extremism and religious fundamentalism, and condemned them in all its forms and manifestations, whenever and wherever they happen.

"They pose increasing threats to peace, stability, democracy and development. We must work collectively and unequivocally to defeat all forms and manifestation of terrorism. Any compromise on terrorism undermines the culture of peace," the Prime Minister stressed.

At the programme, former Prime Minister and CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said drafting a new constitution is a must to institutionalise and consolidate upon the gains of the different movements, pointing out that the Nepali people were in search of peace. He added that dialogue and reconciliation among the parties was needed for this.

Chairman of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Nepal, Upendra Yadav, said only an inclusive democracy guaranteed all the human rights of all the people.

Former Chief Minister of the Uttarakhand State, India and Member of Parliament, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, said that innocent people are getting killed around the world due to terrorism and extremism. He further said that democracy could not flourish in the absence of peace.

Chairman of the Universal Peace Federation, International, Charles S Yang, President of UPF International, Thomas G Walsh, Chairman of UPF Asia Chung Sik Yong, among other speakers, dwelt on the problems and challenges seen in the democracy in the global context.

Korean nationals, Reverend Sun Myung Moon and his wife Dr Hak Ja Han Moon founded the Universal Peace Federation in 2005. UPF is a global network of peace builders and has been working globally in the areas of inter-faith peacebuilding, peace and security, United Nations relations, marriage and family, peace education and human development, and youth and service.