Kathmandu, Jan. 21
Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' said
that the relevancy of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has not diminished in the
present day world order.
"To make the world system just and equitable, and to
guarantee freedom, independence and geographical integrity to all countries,
the importance of the non-aligned movement remains the same as it was in the
past for all communities across the world in order to achieve prosperity and
live a happy life," he said while speaking with the media at the Tribhuvan
International Airport on Sunday upon his return from the 19th Summit
of the NAM held in Kampala of Uganda.
The NAM was developed as the third strand in favour of
freedom, independence and economic development in the aftermath of the Second
World War when the world system was divided into two poles.
"Although there are some doubts about the relevance of
the Movement, it has a major role in the current world with problems such as
inequality, neo-colonialism, geopolitical conflicts, and poverty," said PM
Prachanda.
Meanwhile, speaking at the closing ceremony of the summit,
UN Secretary-General António Guterres appreciated the non-aligned countries'
great contribution to making the world order fair, inclusive and equitable, and
said that its relevance has increased even more in the current world
environment. .
PM Prachanda's delegation to the NAM Summit included Foreign
Minister NP Saud, Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr. Rupak Sapkota,
Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United
Nations, and other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Nepal is one of the founding countries of the NAM and it has
participated in the Bangdong Conference in 1955 when the Asia-Africa Conference
passed the 10-point principles that laid the foundation of the Movement.
Since its inception, Nepal has been represented at the
highest level in all the summits of the Movement and presented its independent
point of view. "Non-alignment and its principles remain as the basic
principles of Nepal's foreign policy. Based on this, despite the complex
situations internationally, we have adopted an independent foreign policy with
an organic approach in all cases," said PM Prachanda.
In his address to the NAM Summit, he recalled that the
leaders of Asia and Africa presented the basic values of conducting
international relations through the Bangdong Conference in the atmosphere of
the uneasy Cold War between the two superpowers about seven decades ago, and
emphasized that the NAM has played an important role in enhancing the political
freedom of many countries, ending colonialism and protecting sovereignty.
"Likewise, the NAM is a platform for deepening mutual
cooperation. Through this, I emphasized that efforts should be made to achieve
global prosperity by enhancing mutual cooperation and understanding," he
said.
Noting that the principles of the Movement and its values
and beliefs are important for Nepal, PM Prachanda clarified that its observance
is a guide to achieving peace, harmony and a prosperous world, as well as being
a basic principle of foreign policy. "I said that this Movement has
contributed to increase the respect and reputation at the international level
in order to enhance mutual harmony, cooperation and cooperation between
us," he said.
Stating that the economic revival has not been able to pick
up enough speed in the post-COVID scenari, the Prime Minister expressed his
concern to the growing geo-political polarisation and fighting and climate
change that are causing more damage to small and developing countries.
"Even though Nepal itself is in the process of being
upgraded from a least developed country, it is faced with multifaceted
challenges. From the perspective that least developed countries need strong
support and cooperation from development partners, I have strongly raised the
issue that the NAM should emphasize the achievement of the Sustainable
Development Goals, the Paris Agreement and other internationally agreed
development goals in time to achieve the economic development and prosperity of
the developing countries of the world," he said.
According to the PM, he emphasized that the world economic
and financial structure should be reformed in order to to ensure the necessary
financial resources for the economic progress of developing countries, and the
NAM should play a leading role in reforming the international trade structure,
and the United Nations, so as to favor the interests of developing countries.
"Developed countries must meet the financial
competitiveness of developing countries. By ensuring everyone's access and
participation in international trade, even less developed countries should be
able to realize its benefits," said PM Prachanda and added that he had emphasized
that the NAM, as the largest representative organization after the United
Nations, should play an important role in playing a just role for stability and
prosperity.
PM Prachanda said that the Himalayas are home to 15 per cent
of the world's population and 50 per cent of earth's biodiversity. He said,
"Mountains are very important for the living creatures of the world.
Nepal, a mountainous country, is in the grip of climate change."
He also reiterated the issue that Nepal has been advocating
for the protection of the Himalayas and mountain ecosystems and the human
communities living there, and also called on them to support the voice of the
Himalayas.
While in Kampala, PM Prachanda interacted with the Nepali
community there and discussed about the existing opportunities and challenges
for Nepalis in Uganda and African continent.
In the sidelines of the summit, he met President of Sri
Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe and held a bilateral delegation-level discussion on
the occasion.
On the occasion, he emphasized on the need to make the South
Asian Regional Cooperation Organisation (SAARC) active and dynamic, and said
that a common role should be played for that. The two delegations also talked
about conducting direct flight from Sri Lanka to Gautam Buddha International
Airport.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 January 2024.
