Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba inaugurated the global meeting of White Ribbon Alliance in Kathmandu on Monday.

The Alliance envisages a world where the right of all women to be safe and healthy before, during and after childbirth is upheld. It has played a vital role in global advocacy to prevent the deaths of women and newborns.

Delivering a speech at the meeting, PM Deuba underscored the challenges to achieving Sustainable Development Goals about health and well-being, and reiterated the government's commitment to addressing these issues.

Stating that the Constitution defines ‘health’ as a fundamental right of every citizen, Prime Minister Deuba said Nepal is now in the process of introducing new legislations for safe motherhood, including an umbrella Reproductive Health Act. Appreciating the roles played by the civil society, private sector, individuals as well as global actors towards our achievements in maternal health, Prime Minister Deuba stressed the need to continue joining our hands and accelerate the pace towards establishing a healthy society.

Prime Minister Deuba added, "For me, ‘healthy citizens’ is a true indicator of the prosperity; health should remain at the top of the global and national development agenda."