Geneva: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has actively engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with her counterparts and ministers from participating countries on the sidelines of the high-level segment of the 58th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
According to National News Agency Nepal, during these discussions, Dr Rana sought support for Nepal’s candidacy for key positions in the United Nations. This includes Nepal’s bid for membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2027 to 2029, the Economic and Social Council for the term 2029 to 2031, and the Security Council for the term 2037 to 2038.
In addition, Dr Rana extended an invitation to global leaders to participate in the “Sagarmatha Sambaad,” a global dialogue platform to discuss issues of regional and global importance, scheduled to be held in Kathmandu in May 2025. This dialogue, hosted by Nepal, is set to focus on climate change, mountains, and the future of humanity.
During the meetings, the Foreign Minister also called for international support to help Nepal achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, as the nation prepares to transition from a least developed country to a developing nation by 2026.
In a separate meeting on Monday, Dr Rana met with Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Kravik to discuss bilateral relations between Nepal and Norway. She expressed Nepal’s gratitude for Norway’s support in Nepal’s peace process, economic growth, and social development, while seeking Norway’s backing for Nepal’s climate change and climate justice advocacy on international platforms.
Dr Rana also conducted a bilateral meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Edil Baisalov. The talks centered around the impact of climate change on mountainous regions, including Nepal, and collaborative efforts for advancing the agenda of the Himalayas and hills in international forums.
Additionally, discussions with Charles C. Jose, the Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations at the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, focused on strengthening Nepal-Philippines relations and promoting cooperation on climate change and other shared global agendas. Dr Rana was accompanied by Krishna Prasad Dhakal, head of the UN Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ram Prasad Subedi, Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva.
Earlier on Monday, Dr Rana addressed the 58th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, where she reaffirmed Nepal’s ongoing commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights. She announced Nepal’s candidacy for a position in the UN Human Rights Council for the term from 2027 to 2029. Ministers, representatives, and human rights leaders praised Nepal’s role in human rights protection and promotion, recognizing its peace process model as exemplary. They also discussed the status of the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal, which has maintained an ‘A’ category accreditation since its establishment.
Dr Rana led a six-member delegation to the high-level segment, including Rajendra Thapa, Joint Secretary of the Human Rights and International Treaty Agreements Division of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nepali Permanent Mission in Geneva, Switzerland.