Nepal’s Foreign Minister Holds Flurry of UNGA Sideline Talks on First Day in New York
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal meets Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. Photo by Rajan Kafle for NepYork.
NEW YORK — Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal held a series of bilateral meetings Monday with senior officials from the European Union, Poland, Bhutan, Portugal and Japan on his first day in New York for the high-level week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Khanal arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport at 8:50 a.m. Monday on Qatar Airways Flight 703. He was welcomed by Lok Bahadur Thapa, Nepal’s permanent representative to the United Nations; Dadhiram Bhandari, Nepal’s consul general in New York; and officials from Nepal’s permanent mission to the United Nations.
After arriving in New York, Khanal said in a social media post that he was leading Nepal’s delegation during the General Assembly’s high-level week. He thanked Thapa, Bhandari and mission officials for the welcome and said he would begin a series of bilateral meetings that afternoon to advance Nepal’s priorities on the international stage.
Thapa also welcomed Khanal to New York and wished him a productive stay and successful meetings during the General Assembly.
Talks Span Europe, South Asia and Japan
Khanal began the afternoon with a meeting with Teresa Ribera, the European Commission’s executive vice president for a clean, just and competitive transition, at U.N. headquarters.
Khanal expressed gratitude for the European Union’s sympathy and solidarity following Nepal’s recent Bhotekoshi floods, according to Nepal’s permanent mission to the United Nations. The two sides discussed the Nepal-E.U. partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Khanal then met Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski at U.N. headquarters. The discussions focused on expanding Nepal-Poland relations, cooperation in areas of mutual interest and coordination at the United Nations and other multilateral forums.
According to Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting covered Poland’s support for what it described as positive political and economic changes in Nepal, including through expert assistance. The Polish ministry also said the two sides discussed Nepal’s support for Ukraine and what it described as Russia’s exploitation of Nepali citizens who are being forced to fight in Ukraine.
The Polish Foreign Ministry’s account of the meeting was posted on social media Monday. Poland has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The Polish ministry later deleted that post and published a revised statement that omitted the reference to Russia’s exploitation of Nepali citizens. In its revised post, the ministry said: “The talks focused on Poland’s support for positive political and economic developments in Nepal, including expert assistance, and appreciation for Nepal’s support for Ukraine.”
In the afternoon, Khanal met Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay at Bhutan’s permanent mission in New York. Tobgay reaffirmed Bhutan’s solidarity with Nepal following the recent floods and conveyed best wishes for the recovery and reconstruction of affected communities.
Khanal later met Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel at U.N. headquarters. The two officials discussed bilateral relations and areas of mutual interest.
In the evening, Khanal met Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi at U.N. headquarters. Nepal and Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, with both countries having highlighted cooperation in areas including trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, tourism, education and culture.
The meetings generally focused on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest. Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, Thapa and other Nepalese officials also took part in the meetings.
Climate and Reconstruction on Nepal’s Agenda
Khanal is accompanied by Rai, Joint Secretary Krishna Prasad Dhakal and other officials.
Nepal is scheduled to host a side event on Sept. 25 titled “Sagarmatha to the Sea: A Call to Action for a Climate-Resilient Future.” The event will focus on climate change and its effects, particularly in the Himalayan region.
The Bhotekoshi floods are expected to feature prominently in Nepal’s discussions during the General Assembly. The disaster, which struck Aug. 26, caused extensive damage in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other areas along the river system. Nepal’s Foreign Ministry has described the event as an unprecedented disaster and said recovery and reconstruction will require international support.
Nepal is expected to highlight climate justice, the impact of climate-related disasters, the concerns of least-developed and landlocked developing countries, and international cooperation on investment, trade, recovery and reconstruction.
Prime Minister to Join General Assembly
Prime Minister Balendra Shah is scheduled to leave for New York on Sept. 22 and address the General Debate on Sept. 24. He is also scheduled to meet with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.
According to Nepal’s Foreign Ministry, Shah is scheduled to return to Kathmandu on Sept. 26, while Khanal is expected to remain in New York through Sept. 29.
The Foreign Ministry said the Nepali delegation to the high-level week includes Khanal, Rai and other senior government officials.