Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Tuesday participated in the opening ceremony of the High-Level General Debate of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

A number of Heads of State, Heads of Government, and high-level dignitaries from different countries are attending the General Debate of the 78th Session of UNGA, being held from September 19 to 26, 2023, under the theme “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all”.

The New York-based Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations, issuing a statement on Tuesday, informed that PM Dahal met with the President of the United States of America Joe Biden during a reception hosted by the latter in honour of the leaders of delegations to the UNGA.

Likewise, Dahal also held a meeting with the President of the Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe on the sidelines of UNGA.

“They exchanged views on further strengthening relations and cooperation both at bilateral and multilateral fora including the United Nations,” reads the statement.

Similarly, Rabab Fatima, UnderSecretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States, paid a courtesy call to PM Dahal.

“Discussions were focused on matters pertaining to the promotion and protection of the interests of LDCs including the implementation of the Doha Program of Action (DPoA) and the graduation of Nepal from LDCs status,” the statement read.

Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud also held meetings with Under Secretary-General for Operational Support Atul Khare and CTBTO Executive Secretary Robert Floyd on the sidelines of the UNGA.

According to the statement, Minister Saud and Khare discussed matters relating to Nepal-UN cooperation in different areas including peacekeeping missions.

Minister Saud, during the meeting with CTBTO Executive Secretary Floyd, expressed Nepal's strong commitment to nuclear disarmament and extended support for CTBTO's work, as per the statement.