DPM Shrestha expresses commitment towards strengthening rule of law at the national level

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha ‘Prakash’ reiterated Nepal’s commitment towards strengthening rule of law at the national level as a part of its historic transformation process and said that the historic struggle of the Nepali people, with sacrifices of thousands of lives, in fact, was for the purpose of establishing rule of law along with equity and justice in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha addressing...

In his address to the high-level meeting of UN General Assembly on the Rule of Law on Monday, Minister Shrestha, who leads the Nepalese delegation to the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, emphasized that ensuring the rule of law at the international level assumes as much importance as at the national level because it provides essential tools and principles for peaceful coexistence and cooperation among States. Rule of law, however, should not be used as a cover of domination of one country by another, and practicing double standard in its application should be avoided, he said.

While underlining the importance of observance of the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter and the international law and promoting multilateralism in handling all international issues of common concerns in the promotion of rule of law in a broader context, he highlighted that it is extremely important to create a level playing field where all States can participate in an equitable manner.

“The rule of law must seek to promote inclusive, just, and equitable societies for addressing the root causes of conflict such as poverty, exclusion, marginalization and deprivation in political, economic, and social spheres,” Minister Shrestha added.

He stated that Nepal has transformed itself into a secular state; and inter alia, ensured legal, political and administrative measures for empowerment of women, the down-trodden and indigenous groups as well as geographically handicapped communities. He also said that Nepal has adopted inclusiveness in state organs, criminalized caste-based discrimination and untouchability; initiated process to criminalize torture; adopted measures to curb domestic and gender- based violence. He also called for enhanced level of support with adequate resources, knowhow and technical capacity building in a coordinated and coherent manner to strengthen rule of law in Least Developed Countries emerging out of conflict.

DPM Shrestha meets US President Obama, foreign ministers of Korea and Baharain

On the margin of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly, DPM Shrestha held bilateral meeting with Kin Sung-hwan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea. The two Ministers emphasized the need to further strengthen and diversify bilateral relations in the areas of trade, tourism and investment, especially in hydropower and infrastructure development sectors. Possibility of Korean Investment in the development of Lumbini was also discussed. Expressing the view that the movement of labour from Nepal to the Republic of Korea under the EPS system was beneficial to both sides, the two Ministers agreed on the need to further reform and strengthen cooperation in this field. Both countries agreed to promote mutual interests by working together through regional and international forums such as the United Nations.

DPM Shrestha also held a meeting with Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bahrain. The two Ministers agreed to further strengthen and consolidate the existing relations and explore further possibilities of cooperation through exchanges of high level visits. The important role being played by Nepalese workers in Bahrain and their protection was also discussed. The two sides agreed to work together through the forums of regional and international organizations to fulfill common interests. Possibility of promotion of trade and investment between the two countries was also discussed during the meeting.

The meetings were held in cordial atmosphere. The Foreign Secretary Durga Prasad Bhattarai, Sewa Lamsal Adhikari, Charge d’ Affaires, and Deepak Dhital, Joint Secretary were present in the meetings.

Later in the evening the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Honorable Narayan Kaji Shrestha briefly met with Barack Obama, the President of the United States of America in the reception hosted by the President Obama and his wife Michelle Obama in honor of the Heads of Delegation to the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly.

DPM Shrestha had arrived in New York Sunday leading the Nepalese delegation to the 67th UN General Assembly.

On Monday, he also participated at the special Ministerial Meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. He underlined that the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is the right forum to deal with the global economic, social and environmental challenges that the world has been facing in recent years in terms of multiple crises as well as the impact of climate change. He called for multilateral approach for global solution to these problems. No single country has the capacity to overcome those challenges by itself without concerted support and cooperation at regional and global levels, he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized on the need for a more robust ECOSOC for integrated and coordinated follow-up of the outcomes of all major UN conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields, particularly for the effective implementation of the Istanbul Program of Action for the Lest Developed Countries. He stressed that ECOSOC should accord due priority to the concerns and interests of the LDCs and appropriate development interventions should be directed to the LDCs in recognition of their special needs and their voices be heard in all relevant international norm-setting and decision-making processes. nepalnews.com