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Nepal's Foreign Affairs Minister Notes 50th Anniversary of UN Membership

Dr. Sunil Khadka

Minister for Foreign Affairs Ramesh Nath Pandey has said that Nepal has been reposing abiding trust and unflinching faith in the UN and that it remained committed to the realisation of sacred objectives enshrined in its Charter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pandey said this in a message sent today to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Nepal's membership with the UN.

In the message, Minister Pandey said, "It is a matter of pleasure for His Majesty's Government, and the people of the Kingdom of Nepal to recall their 50th year of association with the United Nations. On this important occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Nepal's membership with the UN, I would like to express on behalf of His Majesty's Government of Nepal, people of Nepal and on my own, hearty greetings and felicitation to Your Excellency and through you to the world community our very best wishes for the success of this world body in becoming an effective instrument in attaining founding principles and objectives of peace, stability and progress in the changed complex international situation of today."

Noting that since her membership of the UN in December 1955, Nepal has been reposing abiding trust and unflinching faith in the UN, Minister Pandey has said that Nepal remains committed to the realisation of sacred objectives enshrined in the UN Charter, and it has played an active role in its activities.

"The principles and purposes of the UN Charter constitute the fundamental pillars of our foreign policy. We see in the UN the moral strength of the world, legitimacy and universality, thus symbolising the aspirations of humanity to live in a world of peace, freedom and dignity," he said.

Terrorism has emerged as a serious threat to international peace and security and to the civilised way of life, Minister Pandey said adding that all nations big or small deserve justice and protection from terrorism. He added that Nepal strongly believes that this menace has to be fought resolutely and comprehensively without any double standard or selective approach.

"Nepal looks forward to work with the UN and under its aegis to take this fight to every nook and corner of the world," he said. Describing the UN as our hope and faith, Minister Pandey said that however, the UN is not bereft of problems caused by its internal structural problems and the overriding influence and dominance of some countries in the decision making process of this world body. "The UN has, in fact, arrived at the crossroads faced with numerous challenges of inextricable nature, requiring global efforts to make it efficient, effective, equitable and credible as envisaged by the Outcome Document of UN Millennium Summit held in September 2005 in New York," he stressed.

Stating that Nepal has lent every support to the UN in its drive towards betterment of the humanity and human civilisation, Minister Pandey said that he felt honoured to refer to the fact that Nepal, though a small developing country, has already participated in 29 UN peacekeeping operations around the globe contributing more than 50,000 peacekeepers.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs said that soldiers of the Royal Nepal Army have exhibited exemplary bravery, honesty and devotion in maintaining peace at various places of conflict around the world.

While reiterating Nepal's unswerving faith and commitment to strengthening the UN with a view to enhancing its authority, efficiency, and capacity to effectively address pressing challenges that confront the world today, he said Nepal strongly felt that only the stronger, all-inclusive and more effective UN could further shore up efforts for making the world more peaceful, secure and prosperous.