File
Kathmandu, September 24
Prime Minister Balen Shah is scheduled to address the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 24.
Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai announced the prime minister’s speaking schedule during a regular press briefing on Friday.
“The high-level general debate of the 81st UN General Assembly will be held from September 22 to 28 at the UN headquarters in New York,” Rai said. “The Right Honourable Prime Minister is scheduled to address the General Debate on September 24.”
According to Rai, the UN has informed Nepal that heads of state from 81 countries and heads of government from 50 countries will attend the General Assembly.
He said the General Assembly would provide Nepal with an important opportunity to present the Gen Z movement that took place in Nepal last year, the successful election that followed, and the priorities of the current government formed with a strong popular mandate. Nepal will also call for continued and increased international support and goodwill.
Rai said Prime Minister Shah is expected to draw international attention to the significant loss of lives and property Nepal has repeatedly suffered from climate change and climate-induced disasters.
He said Nepal would also highlight that despite making a negligible contribution to global carbon emissions, the country continues to face severe impacts of climate change.
Shah is scheduled to call on the international community to ensure climate justice. Rai said Nepal would also highlight its contribution to global environmental protection through its nature-friendly lifestyle, more than 46 per cent forest cover, vast Himalayan region and extensive river systems.
Nepal will also host a high-level side event during the General Assembly, according to Rai. The event will focus on the adverse impacts of global climate change on the Himalayan region and the devastating consequences it has caused, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal is scheduled to attend ministerial-level meetings of least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, non-aligned countries and G7, China and other groups.
Khanal will also address other high-level discussions and side events organised by the UN and hold meetings with counterparts from neighbouring and other countries, as well as senior UN officials, Rai said.
