Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has commended courageous peacekeepers from around the world, particularly those serving at present in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). In his address to an event jointly organized by the Ministry of Defense and the Nepali Army at the NA Headquarters on Thursday to mark United Nations (UN) Day 2024, the Prime Minister said UN peacekeepers’ unwavering dedication and fearlessness in the face of increasingly complex challenges and hard situations exemplify the true spirit of peacekeeping and inspire all of us to uphold global peace and security.
“For decades, we have been a persistent advocate of peace, equality, cooperation, and the peaceful resolution of conflict in the international arena. Our long contributions to UN peacekeeping missions, international treaties, and disarmament efforts reflect our dedication to global tranquility and harmony. I am immensely proud of our peacekeepers, whose tireless dedication has left a lasting mark on conflict-affected regions in every nook and corner of the globe,” he said. Sharing the features of Nepal’s foreign policy with the gathering, he said Nepal always adheres to the principles of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect for sovereignty, and non-interference. “Our position as a nation located between two large neighbors demands that we maintain a policy of “Friend to all and Enmity to none”.
“Today, I would like to remind all of us that our partnership and collectiveness reinforce the UN to effectively carry out its critical missions, often in some of the world’s most challenging environments,” he said. The Prime Minister said Nepal is proud of its long peacekeeping history and is committed to sending skilled and competent peacekeepers whenever the UN calls for it. “However, peace operations are facing growing challenges. They are increasingly at risk from violent groups and dynamic security situations. Conflicts are becoming more and more complex so conflict management and resolution require strong international support and solidarity.”
Against this backdrop, countries like ours must provide forces with the tools needed to stay safe while carrying out their missions, Prime Minister Oli stressed, adding that the government fully supports efforts to ensure the safety, training, and readiness of our peacekeepers. “We are also deeply committed to the meaningful participation of women as their participation exhibits a symbolic representation by which women’s empowerment is established in a conflict-ridden society.” He reminded the gathering that Nepal has wholeheartedly endorsed the “Declaration of Shared Commitments” in support of the “Action for Peacekeeping” (A4P) initiative and its enhanced version, the “A4P Plus Initiative” spearheaded by the United Nations. These initiatives reflect our broader vision of collective global security and Nepal’s readiness to shoulder its responsibilities as a responsible member of the international community, he added.
Comment