KATHMANDU, Sept.22: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayankaji Shrestha left Kathmandu for New York on Saturday to take part in the 67th Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), leading an eight-member delegation.
The General Assembly commenced in New York on September 18, Monday with the theme of "Bringing about Adjustment for Settlement of International Disputes by Peaceful Means".
The Deputy Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in the General Debate of the Session on September 25 and deliver his statement in the General Assembly on September 28, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During his stay in New York, the Deputy Prime Minister will also hold a number of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the neighborhood and many other friendly countries. He is also scheduled to attend the reception to be hosted by the US President in honour of the visiting heads of the delegations to the 67th UN General Assembly.
Talking to media persons before his departure, Minister Shrestha said he would inform the UN General Assembly about the latest political developments in Nepal, including progress on the peace process and efforts underway for forging political consensus.
Similarly, he would draw the attention of the General Assembly about the issues of climate change and its global impact. As Nepal is the chair of the Least Development Countries, it will put its clear views about the agendas of the LDCs and hold discussions on the assistance necessary for the LDCs, he said.
Likewise, the issues of human rights, problems being faced by the landlord countries and implementation of the commitments from other countries to that end will be raised on behalf of Nepal during the UNGA, it is learnt.
On the occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister is scheduled to hold a meeting with UN Secretary General Ban-ki Moon and heads of the governments and states of different countries.
The UN 67th General Assembly is said to be focused on 167 issues, including poverty alleviation, terrorism and climate change.
Foreign Secretary Durganath Bhattarai, Secretary at the Office Prime Minister and Council of Minister Jaya Mukunda Khanal, are accompanying the Deputy Prime Minister.
A five member Nepali delegation comprising Charge d´ Affaires and Deputy Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nation Sewa Lamsal and other officials of the Nepal Mission will join the delegation in New York.
Nepal had become the member state of the United Nations on December 14, 1955 and taken part in the UNGA for the first time in 1960. First people elected Prime Minister BP Koirala had participated in the 15th General Assembly same year, representing Nepal.
Presently, the number of UN member states is 193 and Nepal has established its diplomatic relations with 134 countries.
The Deputy Prime Minister is scheduled to return home on October 4.
PLEASE DESIST FROM ATTACKING THE WRITER PERSONALLY AND BE RESPECTFUL TO OTHER READERS.
Please give your full name while posting your comments. This is not to stifle the free flow of comments but your full name will enable us to print the comments in our newspaper.
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
Copyright © Nepal Republic Media Pvt. Ltd. 2008-10.