President Paudel addresses joint session of Parliament

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Apr. 11: President Ramchandra Paudel has said that while Nepal has made notable progress in institutionalising its federal democratic republic, considerable work still remains to realise the full spirit of the constitution and meet people’s aspirations. 

President Paudel made this remark while addressing a joint session of the Federal Parliament on Friday. 

He highlighted that the achievements of the past decade must now be translated into meaningful change in the daily lives of citizens. “The past ten years of implementing our constitution have been a period of learning, institution-building, and consolidation. We have succeeded in establishing the core pillars of a federal democratic republic. However, I must stress that our journey is far from complete. The true test lies not only in building institutions, but in ensuring that the values enshrined in the constitution are reflected in governance, justice, and opportunity for every citizen,” said President Paudel.

Focusing on the aspirations of the younger generation, the President described Nepal’s youth as increasingly ambitious and globally aware, with expectations that differ significantly from previous generations. He warned that conventional employment sectors are no longer sufficient to absorb the growing workforce and called for urgent reforms in education and skills development.

“Our youth are eager to learn, innovate, and contribute,” he said. “We must create an environment where they can find opportunities within their own country. It is our responsibility to reform our education system so that it produces a workforce aligned with market demands. If we fail to do so, we risk losing our most valuable human resource to migration. I firmly believe that creating dignified, meaningful employment at home must be our foremost national priority,” added President Paudel.

President Paudel further underscored the need to promote respect for labour and ensure fair compensation. “We must change the deeply rooted perception that success can only be achieved abroad. No country can move forward with a workforce that is disheartened and disillusioned. We must restore hope among our young and educated citizens by ensuring that their efforts are recognised and rewarded within our own borders,” he said.

President Paudel stressed that improving public service delivery is essential to rebuilding trust between citizens and the state. “Good governance is not an abstract concept, it is something that people experience in their daily interactions with the state. We must take firm action to control corruption, eliminate delays, and end irregularities within our administrative systems. I want every citizen to feel that the government is accessible, responsive, and present at their doorstep. This requires a transformation in both attitude and practice within our institutions,” he said.

President Paudel called for a balanced and pragmatic approach. “In an increasingly uncertain global environment, we must pursue diplomatic relations that are balanced, credible, and rooted in mutual respect. At the same time, we must remain steadfast in protecting our national interests,” he said. He also highlighted Nepal’s vulnerability to climate change. “We must actively engage with the international community to seek climate justice and ensure that the impacts of global environmental changes do not disproportionately burden our people,” he added.

The President also delivered a strong message on unity and reconciliation, urging all sections of society to work together. “Our progress depends on our ability to move forward collectively. We must not allow past grievances to divide us. Instead, we should learn from our history and channel those lessons into building a stronger, more united nation. Cooperation, not confrontation, is the path to strengthening our democracy and achieving lasting prosperity,” he said.

President Paudel called upon political parties, elected representatives, and state institutions to uphold democratic norms and work collaboratively. “I call upon all stakeholders to remain committed to the ideals of democracy, good governance, and national development. I am confident that this sovereign Parliament will rise to the occasion and faithfully represent the aspirations of our people, for freedom, social justice and prosperity,” he said.

Earlier, the President paid tribute to the martyrs of Nepal’s historic struggles and acknowledged the contributions of political leaders and citizens in establishing the present system. He also praised the successful conduct of recent elections and the formation of a new government, noting that increased youth representation in Parliament reflects renewed public confidence in Nepal’s democratic future.