'Global pledge needed for sustainable development'

By A Staff Reporter Kathmandu, May 24: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Narayan Khadka, has stressed the need for global commitment, solidarity and urgent actions to fulfill the obligations towards posterity, informed the Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok.

There is a need to focus on accelerated and deliberate actions that promote sustainability, he said in a pre-recorded video message to the 78th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) on Monday, which coincides with the 75th anniversary of its establishment. 

The FM stated that the path to timely achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within stipulated time has been challenging for the countries in special situations including the Least Developed Countries due to natural disasters such as climate change, rising commodity and fuel prices, and trade protectionism, among others. 

He further added that the negative impact of the pandemic, ongoing global crises, and dearth of financing for development has further deteriorated the situation, the embassy said in the statement.

In his message, FM Dr. Khadka congratulated the UNESCAP on its 75th Anniversary and acknowledged its contribution in the fields of infrastructure, human development, and environment, among others. He expressed confidence that the commemorative  event will rekindle new aspirations and provide a new direction for regional development and shared prosperity among the members.

Welcoming the ESCAP's "Reclaiming Our Future" report, the minister expressed views that the global community should work together to protect people and the planet from pandemics and disasters, promote trade and investment, enhance digital capacity, and raise resources to realize development goals. 

While stating new challenges added to the existing ones for graduation from the LDC category by 2026, he shared some measures introduced by the government of Nepal to maintain a healthy economy.  

He also stressed the need to strengthen regional cooperation and engage in inclusive dialogue on interconnected issues such as managing debt, tax evasion, environmental sustainability, and trade, among others.

The 78th Session of the UNESCAP is being held on 23-27 May 2022 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok in hybrid mode. Dr. Dil Bahadur Gurung, Member of National Planning Commission, is leading the Nepali delegation to the session.