Excellency Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations,

Excellency Mr. Timo Soini, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland,

Excellency Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey,

Excellencies,

At the outset, I thank Finland and Turkey for organizing this event. 

Allow me to commend your joint leadership for promoting mediation as an important tool for the peaceful settlement of disputes and maintenance of international peace and security.

I thank Secretary-General,Mr. Guterres, for highlighting mediation’srole in preventing conflicts and creating a conduciveenvironment for peaceful resolution of disputes. I also welcome the establishment of High-level Advisory Board on Mediation.

Secretary General’s idea of ‘surge in diplomacy for peace’ underlines the interdependence of sustaining peace and sustainable development. The symbiosis between them is unbreakable.

There can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development. 

Though mediation remained an under-utilized tool of peaceful settlement of dispute, it holds immense potentials to build confidence and encourage the parties to recognize the value of conflict resolution.

Adherence to the UN Charter and norms of international law, consent of the parties to conflict, compliance with the mandate, and faithful implementation of the agreements remain the cardinal pre-requisites for a successful mediation.

Mediation should also promote ‘positive neutrality’, andbe responsive to the local context and sensitivities.Impartiality and credibility of the mediator is a sine qua none.

Excellencies,

To touch upon the theme of this event, allow me to reinforce that attainment of sustainable peace hinges on youth; on their inclusion and participation in the entire peace continuum[1].

Today, most of the conflicts are in those areas where the youth are not given hope. The unresolved conflicts hurt the youths most.

It assaults on their aspirations, derails their dreams, and sabotages their psyche. The price is too big for their present as well as future. 

When the choice is between inclusion and otherwise; the middle ground does not exist. In all efforts of addressing the drivers of conflicts, youths should be kept at the centre. 

They should not only be given voices, but also should be heard. A culture of dialogue and mediation should be instilled among them. 

The first line of defense of peace should be built in the minds of young people. 

Excellencies,

As the birthplace of the Lord Buddha - the icon of peace and non-violence -- Nepal believes that the ideals of tolerance, compassion and empathy are the essence of sustaining peace.

Nepal itself has a distinct experience of managing conflict.

Our experience of homegrownpeace process is a testimony that national ownership and an inclusive approach is the key to the resolution of conflict.

Nepal remains steadfast to share its national experiences, best practices and lessons learned in the larger interest of humanity.

I thank you all.