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Press Release-Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies and Mission's other engagements

Wednesday, 22 September 2021
Location: 
NY

 

Press Release

In his pre-recorded video address to the 10th Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies today, Foreign Secretary Mr. Bharat Raj Paudyal said that the inherent quality of democracy provides the space for organizing societies in the best possible manner by managing diversity, dissention and differences and promoting tolerance and respect for others.

The Foreign Secretary Mr. Paudyal further said that the inclusive, participatory and equitable democratic governance can stand resilient to any shocks and turmoil including political radicalism, economic downturns, disasters, and the pandemics like COVID-19.

Only through strong institutions we can protect and promote democracy and freedom, he emphasized.

While highlighting the inclusive multiparty democratic governance principles enshrined in the constitution of Nepal, he stated that equality and non-discrimination constitute the bedrock of our Constitution. Currently, women occupy 41 percent of the elected offices of Federal, Provincial and Local Bodies combined, he added.

The Conference was held virtually under the leadership of the Romanian Presidency on the margins of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly and concluded with the adoption of a Ministerial Declaration. Nepal is a member of the Community of Democracy.

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H.E Mr. Amrit Bahadur Rai, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations addressed this morning the High-level Side-event on “How changing availability of water from ice and snow will impact our societies?” held virtually on the margins of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. 

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Rai highlighted the importance of water for sustaining life on earth. It is even more important in light of COVID-19 pandemic, as access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene are key to protecting human health, he said. He also highlighted the impacts of climate change in Nepal and said that we need to do more in cutting GHG emissions and Nepal is committed to deliver its part. The Paris Agreement must be the guiding document towards this end, he added. He stressed the need to strengthen collaborations at national, regional, and global levels to save our mountain ecosystems, which provide fresh water to billions of people.

The High-level side event was jointly organized by Nepal, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, UNDESA, UNESCO (IHP), UNEP, UN-Water and WMO.

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Ambassador Rai also addressed the UN LGBTI Core Group High Level Event on Leaving No One Behind: Decriminalization of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity held today morning on the sidelines of the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly. While delivering a statement, he underlined the plight of the LGBTI people and said that they have every right to enjoy their life in dignity as free and equal. We must stop discrimination against them, he emphasized.

The delegation of Nepal participated at the Round-table discussion on Reparation, racial justice and equality for people of African descent- how to address the past to move forward held today during the High-level meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action. During the discussion, Nepal underscored to take a comprehensive multi-stakeholder approach to eliminate all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance through legal reforms, empowerment programs, and social protection to the racially discriminated community.

Later in the afternoon, Ambassador Rai attended the informal group meeting with Ms. Wendy R. Sherman, the Deputy Secretary of State of the United States of America. During the meeting, various matters of regional concerns, including Covid-19, economic recovery, connectivity, and climate change, were discussed.

 

Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations                      

New York

22 September 2021