Guterres lands in capital on four-day official visit

Pledges support to Nepal’s transitional justice  

Kathmandu, Oct. 29

On the first day of his arrival in Kathmandu on a four-day official visit of Nepal, Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, remained busy in high-level meetings and deliberations.

He paid a courtesy call to the President of Nepal, Ramchandra Paudel, and held meetings with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, speaker of the House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire, Minister for Defence, Purna Bahadur Khadka, President of Nepali Congress, Sher Bahadur Deuba, and leader of the main opposition party CPN-UML, KP Sharma Oli.

During the meeting with Guterres, President Paudel said that the UN has long been Nepal's development partner and the country has accorded high priority and importance to the UN. According to Shailaja Regmi Bhattarai, Spokesperson of the Office of the President, he also expressed gratitude to the UN and its specialised agencies for their continuous support and contribution to Nepal's social and economic development as well as in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SG Guterres had arrived in Kathmandu early in the morning on Sunday. He is in Nepal at the official invitation of PM Prachanda.

Likewise, PM Prachanda said, during the meeting with Guterres, the visit of the Secretary General of the UN would help to further consolidate Nepal's international ties and relations and help to enhance the country's image.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, the two discussed the conclusion of Nepal's ongoing peace process, sustainable development, Nepal's graduation to the developing country from the existing 'Least Developed Country (LDC)' status and immediate challenges like the climate change. PM Prachanda assured the Secretary General about the early conclusion of Nepal's peace process. He also sought the support of the United Nations in achieving the SDGs and making the LDC graduation smooth.

PM Prachanda appreciated SG Guterres for his initiative in addressing the climate change and its impacts as well as the UN support in the initiative.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Prime Minister Prachanda reiterated Nepal’s unflinching commitment to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and reaffirmed its unwavering faith in multilateralism with the United Nations at the centre.

He highlighted Nepal’s inclusive and peaceful transition to federal democratic republic and UN’s support to Nepal’s unique and home-grown peace process.

 

 

'Climate change top priority'

Similarly, in a meeting with Guterres, Speaker of the HoR, Devraj Ghimire, said that the issue of climate change is a top priority in Nepal. "Despite being a landlocked mountainous country with low carbon emissions, Nepal is facing the disproportionate impact of climate change. Women and children are more affected by the severe effects of climate change," he said.

Ghimimre welcomed Guterres' initiative to enhance the effectiveness of the United Nations system in this drive.

He also assured the SG of Nepal's commitment to bringing the transitional justice process to a logical conclusion through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Investigation Commission of Disappeared Persons. "The Parliament and the Parliamentary Committee are seriously discussing for the creation of the law related to both commissions. Hopefully, we will make a law in the near future," said Speaker Sapkota.

The transitional justice process of Nepal is guided by the detailed peace agreement concluded between the government and the then rebel parties in 2006, the directives of the Supreme Court, related international competition, the interests of the victims and the situation on the ground, he said. .

Guterres pledges support to transitional justice

In response, the Secretary General said that the United Nations is ready to provide necessary support to complete the transitional justice process in Nepal. "I believe that transitional justice will help bring peace to the victims, their families and communities," he said.

Likewise, in a meeting with President of Nepali Congress, Sher Bahadur Deuba, the two discussed Nepal's peace process, sustainable development, climate change and other issues.

President Deuba praised the role played by the United Nations in Nepal's peace process and informed about the deep impact of climate change on an underdeveloped country like Nepal, informed Krishna Prasad Paudel, Chief Secretary of Nepali Congress.

In response to the Secretary General's interest and wish for a successful implementation of the peace process, Deuba expressed the view that peace process has been going on for a long time and with regard to some remaining works, the process will be completed soon with common agreement and coordination with various parties and stakeholders.

Meanwhile, SG Guterres paid a courtesy call on Chair of CPN-UML and former Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli at the Federal Parliament in Baneshwor. In the meeting, the two deliberated on Nepal's peace process, climate change and sustainable development.

 

 

Likewise, Foreign Minister NP Saud received UN Secretary-General at the Ministry this afternoon. FM's secretariat informed that, on the occasion, discussions were held on further deepening UN-Nepal partnership and engagements in the days ahead.

'Nepal ready to increase peacekeepers'

Similarly, in a meeting with the visiting UN SG, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Purna Bahadur Khadka, said that the Government of Nepal is ready to send additional peacekeepers upon a request from the UN.

On the occasion, discussions were held on further deepening UN-Nepal partnership and engagements in the days ahead.

Currently, about 6,308 Nepali peacekeepers are deployed in 13 missions of 12 countries across the countries. Nepal had begun sending peace troops since 1958 in Lebanon. Mentioning the current attacks targeting the peacekeepers, DPM Khadka stressed on further strengthening the peacekeeping troops. He also said that Nepal has achieved the inclusion target in the peacekeeping missions with 18 per cent participation of women.

"Nepal is committed to the ideas of 'Action for Peace' and 'Action for Peace Plus' proposed by the Secretary General. Nepal has adopted a zero tolerance to sexual exploitation and harassment," said DPM Khadka.

According to the statement issued by the Ministry of Defense, SG Guterres appreciated Nepal's role in the peacekeeping missions and said that the UN had highly valued the contributions. He also pledged for every possible support to Nepal's development and climate change mitigation efforts.

SG Guterres is leading a delegation that includes UN Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations, Jean Pierre Lacroix, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations to Nepal, Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, and other high officials of the United Nations Headquarters in New York and the UN country team in Nepal. 

Upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, the Secretary-General was received by Minister for Foreign Affairs N.P. Saud, Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal, and other senior officials of the Government of Nepal, informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Secretary-General was also accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Later in the evening on Sunday, Prime Minister Prachanda hosted an official banquet in honour of the visiting Secretary-General of the UN.

The UN Secretary-General is scheduled to visit Namche in Solukhumbu, Pokhara, Annapurna Base Camp and Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, as well. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal on 30 October 2023.