KATHMANDU, Sept 20: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, attended the inaugural of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The 72nd session of UNGA with ‘Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and Decent Life for a Sustainable Planet’ as a theme commenced on Tuesday in the UN’s Headquarters in New York.

Brazilian President Michel Temer and American President Donald Trump addressed the general assembly immediately after Secretary-General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, presented the annual report.

On the occasion, DPM Mahara participated in a High-Level Leaders Event chaired by British Prime Minister Theresa May on forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking.

Stressing the need for the UN agencies and non-government agencies to be focused on education and awareness, Mahara stated that Nepal has pledged to end the force labour, modern slavery and human trafficking.

Prior to this, Minister Mahara took part in the interaction on the importance of safe water for sustainable development. The interaction focused on the guarantee of safe and purchasable water for all by 2030 and sufficient investment in infrastructure construction for so.

Similarly, the Minister attended a programme relating to promotion of investment in quality infrastructure construction jointly organised by the European Union, Japan and the United Nations. He also attended the welcome reception hosted by UN Secretary General António.

He also held bilateral talks with Norway’s Foreign Minister Børge Brende. The meeting focused on the discussions about vivid aspects of Nepal-Norway bilateral relations and assistance. He will chair the ministerial-level meeting of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to be held on the sidelines of the UN session and will represent Nepal in meetings of G77; the least developed countries and the landlocked countries.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba left Tuesday evening for New York to attend the UNGA 72nd session.

CHITWAN, Sept 15: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Krishna Bahadur Mahara refuted claims that the government violated the election code.

Speaking to journalists in Chitwan on Friday, DPM Mahara said the government remained mindful of the election code when carrying out its duties.

“The government has not carried out any work without compliance with the Election Commission’s code,” Mahara said while pledging government’s support in implementing the election code. He also noted the need for support from all quarters in holding the elections peacefully.

Terming the government’s PM, DPMs and ministers as ‘political beings’, the Minister said their focus on election was not unusual. He also stressed on need for not viewing the efforts directed at healthy competition in a different light.

“It is natural for anyone to head into the competition so as to help their people win,” Mahara added. The DPM arrived in Bharatpur on a flight this morning to participate in the election campaign underway at Thori area of Parsa. RSS

KATHMANDU, June 29: Australia’s ambassador to Nepal, Peter Budd paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, at the latter’s office in Singha Durbar today.

Matters of bilateral cooperation and relations between Nepal and Australia were discussed in the meeting.

On the occasion, DPM and Foreign Affairs Minister Mahara expressed the belief that Australian assistance would be forthcoming to Nepal in the context of Nepal’s entry into a new phase. He also extended gratitude for the assistance which the Australian government has provided to the economic, educational and other sectors in Nepal.

The Australian ambassador said the number of Nepalis settling in Australia has increased and the relations between the two countries have expanded to the people’s level. He expressed the confidence that the relations would be further strengthened in the coming days.

Meanwhile, National Representative of the World Food Program (WFP), Pippa Bradford paid a courtesy call on DPM and Foreign Affairs Minister Mahara at the Ministry today.

During the meeting, they discussed on the agreement on food program that the WFP has signed with the Government of Nepal, according to Hari Lamichhane, the DPM’s public relations and press coordinator. RSS

KAHTMANDU, June 23: Non-resident ambassador of Algeria to Nepal, Mr. Hamza Yahia-Cherif, paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Krishna Bahadur Mahara today.

During the meeting took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singha Durbar, the Algerian non-resident ambassador thanked the Government of Nepal for granting permission to Algerian nationals to go back home without taking any penalty.

Algerian citizen Abdel Kader Ibrahim Azuz had been living in Nepal since 16 years as his nationality was not known.

Once his nationality was known, the Government of Algeria had, through its Embassy in New Delhi, requested the Government of Nepal to repatriate him to Algeria. The government waived the fees in terms of visa and fine and granted permission to Azuz to go back to Algeria.

On the occasion, DPM and Foreign Affairs Minister Mahara apprised the Algerian non-resident ambassador that Nepal has fielded its candidacy to the post of member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for a term extending 2018-2020, and through him, requested the Government of Algeria for its support for the same.

The present deadlock seen in the Arab region also figured in the talks between the Algerian non-resident ambassador and DPM Mahara on the occasion. RSS