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.

KATHMANDU, Sept 17: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is leaving for New York on 19 September 2017 leading Nepali delegation to the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The High Level Segment of the UNGA will begin on 19 September 2017 with the theme of ‘Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet’, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release today.

While in New York, the Prime Minister will address the United Nations General Assembly on 23 September 2017.

The Prime Minister will hold bilateral meeting with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres the same day.

On the sidelines of the UNGA, the Prime Minister will have bilateral meetings with the President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani; President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena; Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina; and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on 21 September.

On the same day, the Prime Minister will address the Columbia University’s World Leaders Forum.

Prime Minister Deuba will have a bilateral meeting with the President of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid on 22 September.
The Prime Minister will then address and give directions to the Americas-based Heads of Nepali Diplomatic Missions.

The Prime Minister will attend the National Day reception to be hosted by the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in New York on 22nd of September as the Chief Guest. Similarly, the Prime Minister will attend the National Day programme being organized by the Consulate General of Nepal in New York on 23 September.

Prime Minister Deuba will leave New York for Muscat, Oman on 24 September where he is scheduled to address Heads of Nepali Diplomatic Missions based in the Gulf region and provide direction on matters relating to promoting and protecting interest of Nepal and Nepali migrant workers in the region.

Minister for Labour and Employment Farmullah Mansur will join the delegation in Muscat.

DPM MAHARA LEAVING FOR NEW YORK TODAY
Prior to the departure of the Prime Minister from Kathmandu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara will leave for New York today to participate in the 72 UNGA.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs will Chair the Informal Session of the SAARC Council of Ministers on 21 September 2017.

While in New York, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs will participate and address the ministerial meetings of the Non-Alignment Movement, G77 and China, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Land-locked Developing Countries. He will represent Nepal at the Ministerial Meeting of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs will attend the reception hosted by Mr. Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, in the evening of 19 September and will join the luncheon hosted by the UN Secretary General in the same afternoon.

During his stay in New York, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mahara will participate in the high-level Open Debate on Reform of UN Peacekeeping organized by the UN Security Council; high-level meeting hosted by the UN Secretary General on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse; high-level event on Water for Sustainable Development; high level event to End Forced Labor, Slavery, Child Labor and Trafficking- A Call to Action; and high-level event on South-South and Triangular Cooperation.

On the sidelines, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs will have bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Bahrain, Bhutan, Norway, Oman and Qatar. He will also have bilateral meetings with senior officials of the United Nations.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs will sign the Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty adopted at the United Nations Conference in July this year.

Nepali delegation to the 72 UNGA will comprise, among others, of Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Asha Koirala; Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Dinesh Bhattarai; Foreign Secretary Mr. Shanker Das Bairagi; Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations in New York, Mr. Durga Prasad Bhattarai and other senior officials of the Government of Nepal.

The Prime Minister and his delegation will return to Kathmandu on 28 September 2017. RSS