Nepal has been elected to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Board in New York on Saturday as its member representing the Group of Asia-Pacific countries for the term 2016-2018.

Nepal was elected to the position following a regional group's unanimous endorsement late in 2015.

Likewise, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations Durga Prasad Bhattarai, has been unanimously elected as Vice-President to the Bureau of the Executive Board of the UNICEF for 2016, representing the Asia-Pacific region.

With this election, Nepal has availed yet another global stage to contribute to the work of the United Nations, this time in providing strategic guidance to its agency specialising in the children's causes.

 Nepal will help ensure, among other things that UNICEF activities are responsive to the needs and priorities of the recipient countries, particularly from the perspective of a country emerging from conflict and reeling under the humanitarian crisis as a result of natural disasters and the vulnerabilities of being least developed and land-locked.

Following today’s election, the Bureau for 2016 comprises Ambassador of Estonia as its President and Ambassadors of Japan and Antigua and Barbuda as Vice-Presidents.

Nepal recently successfully completed its terms as Member of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for 2013-2015 and as Vice-President from Asia-Pacific region at the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS for the year 2015. 

With an abiding faith in the principles and purposes enshrined in the UN Charter, Nepal is said to be committed to contributing to work of the world body as its responsible, willing and able member ever since joining the United Nations 60 years ago.