Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba addressed the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Sunday.  

In his address, the prime minister highlighted Nepal’s perspectives on several pressing issues of global importance. He also shared Nepal’s successful peace process and the aspirations of the people for economic prosperity. 

He mentioned about the recently concluded local level elections and the ongoing preparations for holding the elections for provincial and federal parliaments later 

this year. 

In view of Nepal’s commitment to human rights, fight against international terrorism and disarmament, among others, he called for the support of the international community to Nepal’s candidature to the Human Rights Council for 2018 to 2020. 

Deuba concluded his address with a call for collectively displaying wisdom, knowledge and capacity to address the pressing issues of peace, security, disarmament and sustainable development, with due respect to the internationally accepted rules to ensure a safe and stable world order. 

Prime Minister Deuba also held a meeting with  UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the latter’s office.

According to the Nepal’s Permanent Mission to New York, they exchanged views on a number of issues ranging from the implementation of the constitution to Nepal’s role in UN peacekeeping operations, and from Nepal-UN cooperation to the evolving challenges to development.

The UN secretary-general expressed condolence on the loss of lives and property caused by recent floods in Nepal. 

Guterres also congratulated Deuba on completing the local body elections. He also appreciated Nepal’s contribution to peacekeeping operations. 

The prime minister congratulated the UN secretary-general on his appointment and wished him a successful tenure. 

He also updated the latter on recent developments, including the preparations for holding provincial and federal level elections. Reiterating Nepal’s commitment to peacekeeping, Prime Minister Deuba called the UN for making best use of Nepal’s Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre, oldest in the region, and help develop it as a regional centre of excellence for peacekeeping training. 

Deuba also drew Guterres’s attention to the need for placing the LDC and LLDC issues at the centre of the work of the UN. 

Also on the sidelines of the UNGA,  Foreign Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara held a meeting with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, under-secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, on Saturday. 

During the meeting, the under-secretary-general lauded Nepal’s role in peacekeeping operations and expressed UN’s willingness to continue the cooperation. 

Mahara reiterated Nepal’s commitment to international peace and security through peacekeeping operations.