Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal met separately with Khalilur Rahman, president of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath in New York on Monday.

During his meeting with Rahman at the United Nations headquarters, Khanal congratulated him on his election as president of the 81st General Assembly and wished him a successful term. Khanal also pledged Nepal’s full support and cooperation during his tenure.

The two discussed the priorities of the General Assembly president and the importance of further strengthening multilateralism with the United Nations at its centre. They also exchanged views on the impact and damage caused by the recent climate-related disaster in Nepal.

Khanal also met Herath, Sri Lanka’s minister for foreign affairs, foreign employment and tourism, on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

The two ministers discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations between Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Khanal thanked the Sri Lankan government and people for providing economic and humanitarian assistance.

The ministers also exchanged views on various aspects of the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries. They stressed the need to convene meetings of existing bilateral mechanisms and pledged to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade, tourism, education, culture, connectivity and people-to-people ties.