UN Under Secretary-General Nakamitsu meets with Speaker Ghimire

KATHMANDU: The United Nations Under Secretary-General and the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms Izumi Nakamitsu, called on Speaker of the House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire, today.

During the meeting, they held discussions on the United Nations’ and Nepal’s efforts towards disarmament, the action plan on control of small and light weapons, and endorsement of the international treaty, among other topics.

On the occasion, Speaker Ghimire lauded the global initiatives undertaken by the United Nations on disarmament affairs. “I believe that the discussions held during the Asia-Pacific regional preparatory meeting will make a big contribution to the success of the fourth review meeting on the action plan related to small and light arms,” he said, adding that Nepal is ready to provide constructive contribution in this process.

House Speaker Ghimire stated that Nepal has accorded high importance to its partnership with the United Nations ever since it became the member of the world body on December 14, 1955.

He viewed that the recent visit by UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres to Nepal is reflective of the high significance United Nations and Nepal both attached to each other.

Stating that Nepal is the country where Buddha was born, Speaker Ghimire said Nepal supported peaceful resolution of conflict, non-use of force or intimidation in the internal affairs of other countries and the principle of non-interference.

Under Secretary-General Nakamitsu expressed the confidence that Nepal’s parliament will endorse the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

In reply, Speaker Ghimire said that the Parliament will do the home work on endorsing the two treaties in coordination with the government.