Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Lok Bahadur Thapa has highlighted the growing global challenges and the pivotal role of NAM in promoting peace, justice, and shared prosperity.

Addressing the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Kampala, Uganda, Ambassador Thapa pointed to multiple and interconnected crises facing the world, including ongoing conflicts, rising geopolitical competition, climate change, debt distress, widening economic and digital divides, and growing youth unemployment.

He stressed that the principles and purposes of NAM are not merely ideals but pragmatic pathways to tackle the root causes of these challenges.

Thapa, in his statement, reaffirmed Nepal’s enduring commitment to the purposes and principles of NAM and highlighted the movement’s relevance in amplifying the collective voice of the Global South on issues such as climate justice, strengthened multilateralism, and global governance reforms.

He urged NAM members, observer states, and international organisations to support Nepal’s upcoming general elections in March 2026 as the country seeks to renew the democratic mandate of its sovereign people.

Addressing constraints faced by developing countries, he emphasised the need to accelerate implementation of the 2030 agenda, operationalise the Compromiso de Sevilla to bridge development financing gaps, and resolve conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.

“Equity, justice, and shared prosperity have long remained the aspirations of our people—especially in the Global South. Yet turning these aspirations into reality remains a challenge,” he said.

Thapa also highlighted Nepal’s strong advocacy for collective global action on climate change and resilience. He called for scaled-up, predictable, and accessible climate finance, debt relief, technology transfer, and capacity-building support to developing countries, particularly vulnerable and mountainous nations.

He referred to Nepal’s first ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad’ held in May 2025 in Kathmandu, which echoed the call for climate justice and sustainable mountain development.

Reiterating Nepal’s commitment to multilateralism, peacekeeping, and collective global responsibility, Ambassador Thapa noted that Nepal, as the largest troop-contributing country to UN peacekeeping operations, considers its service a meaningful contribution to global peace and stability.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Kampala Declaration, reaffirming NAM’s shared commitment to cooperation, dialogue, and the pursuit of a just and prosperous global order.