Theme: The future we want, the United Nations we need: Reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism

Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary General,
Distinguished delegates
It is a privilege to be part of this historic occasion marking the 75th anniversary of the UN.
We are convening at an unprecedented time.
The impacts of COVID-19 have hit across lives, economies and societies with toughest brunt felt by the weakest and most vulnerable countries.
Today is an occasion to reaffirm our commitment to peace, prosperity and justice.
We, as humanity, have a responsibility to strengthen the UN and empower it as the centre of multilateralism to deal with the complex challenges the world is confronting.
Nepal’s partnership with the United Nations has been ever-growing in all three pillars.
We have been providing one of the most dedicated and professional services to the UN peace operations for over six decades.
The UN has been a key partner in our development process.
We continue to contribute to the protection and promotion of human rights constructively. We believe that all human rights are equal and must be treated in their totality.

Mr. President,
The United Nations is at ‘generational crossroads’ of continuity and transformation.
It faces a test of delivering on the ever-increasing expectations:
- to protect the neediest countries and peoples,
- to promote the sovereign equality and dignity of all,
- to fight against the threats like pandemics, climate crisis and terrorism, and
-to ensure total elimination of nuclear, chemical, biological, radiological and all other weapons of mass destruction.
Building on the achievements, it is also our collective responsibility to make the world body more ‘fit for purpose’.
Now is the time to do so.
First, there is no alternative to unity, solidarity and cooperation. We must reaffirm these values and commit ourselves to move beyond rhetoric to action.
Second, it is important that the UN is focused on the twelve ‘action points’ highlighted in the Declaration we adopted today and mobilized support for the entirety of the SDGs so that no one is left behind.
Third, with timely reforms, we must enable UN to build a just, fair, and rules-based international order where no nation is superior to others.
Finally, we need to strengthen the UN and ensure that it is stronger and better prepared to tackle the existential threats and emergencies.
To conclude, Mr. President, let us solemnly commit ourselves at this historic 75th anniversary to build a more prosperous and happy global community in an atmosphere of comprehensive democracy. Let us make the UN fit for this purpose.
Thank you!  

Statement at SDG Moment 

Excellencies, the Heads of State and Government,
UN Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres,
Distinguished Delegates:
At the outset, I would like to commend the Secretary General for convening this high-level event.
We are meeting at a critical juncture. The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated livelihoods, disrupted economies, and distressed the public health and social security systems.
Most importantly, as we embark on the decade of action and delivery of the 2030 Agenda, the pandemic has derailed the momentum of its implementation. The challenges have compounded, and gaps have widened.
However, this is not a moment to shift the goalposts further. Nor is it a time to back off in despair.
To navigate these turbulent times, the SDGs must serve as the compass of clarity.

Excellencies,
Sustainable development is at the centre of Nepal’s development vision and priorities. It underpins our national aspiration of “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali”.
We have mainstreamed the SDGs into the national plans and programmes. They are now being localized.
Showcasing our progress in SDGs, we presented our second Voluntary National Review Report in High-level Political Forum in July this year.
We have made some significant achievements in key areas –including poverty reduction, food security, education, gender equality, basic sanitation, and energy access. Our people have been enjoying fundamental rights and freedoms as enshrined in the Constitution.
However, the challenges and gaps remain. The current health crisis threatens our hard-earned gains, pushing our plan to graduate from the LDC status in peril.
This COVID-19 pandemic has affected the countries in special situation such as LDCs, LLDCs and SIDs disproportionately.
Their freezing economy, shrinking revenue, increasing public expenditure, rising poverty and unemployment have severe impact on the attainment of the SDGs.
We welcome the global initiatives and support measures taken in response to COVID-19.
But this is not enough.
Aligning these support measures with the 2030 Agenda, Istanbul Programme of Action, Vienna Programme of Action, Addis Agenda and the Paris Agreement is equally important.
For this, there is an urgent need to accelerate action at all levels and by all stakeholders beyond rhetoric.
Our message should be of a cautious hope to steer the decade of action as well as recovery with sustainability at its core.
In conclusion, a renewed sense of urgency and accountability in our collective efforts is critical to build back better, and to ensure that no one is left behind.
Thank you!