Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations, Gyan Chandra Acharya, along with Ambassadors from the LDC Bureau, namely Benin, Haiti, Solomon Island and Sudan met with Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon in the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday and appreciated his consistent support for LDCs on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Ambassador Acharya highlighted the issues and expectations of LDCs in the context of Rio+20 conference. He called for effective implementation of the Istanbul Program of Action (IPOA) through its integration into UN conferences.

Ambassador Acharya particularly stressed the need for enhanced level of international support and cooperation for LDCs in view of high level of poverty, structural constraints and extensive vulnerabilities. He also requested the Secretary-General to integrate LDC issues into Secretary-General's proposal for sustainable energy for all, every women every child, and other programs. He appreciated the Secretary-General's new five year action agenda and expressed confidence that LDCs concerns will be clearly reflected in the program of action in the days ahead.

UN Secretary-General stated that he has always been sympathetic to the cause of LDCs as one of the most vulnerable groups, and that effective implementation of IPOA is one of the priorities of the United Nations.

He also indicated that all the UN programs including the five year action plan has therefore made reference to the challenges of LDCs and the need for stronger support from the international community. He stressed that IPOA implementation requires stronger commitment of LDCs, development partners, UN system, philanthropic organization, and other in an inclusive manner. He assured that the issues of LDCs would get duly reflected in all the process leading towards Ri0+20 conference. nepalnews.com