PHNOM PENH (CAMBODIA), Nov 20: Leaders of different countries including Nepal, the Philippines, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on Tuesday stressed collective efforts to combat poverty, conflict and global warming as they spoke at the Asia Pacific Summit 2019. The three-day summit hosted by the government of Cambodia in coordination with Universal Peace Federation and International Conference of Asian Cultural Council celebrated the theme - addressing the critical challenges of our time: peace, reconciliation, interdependence, mutual prosperity and universal values as the representatives highlighted the need for harmony and peace in the world.
Ironically, the same floor, however, witnessed a tussle between 'Pakistan and India' over the Kashmir issue. On his turn of delivering the keynote remarks, Qusim Khan Suri, deputy speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, did not refrain from making a critical comment over 'India's mishandling of the Jammu Kashmir issues, triggering an outright protest by a BJP leader Vijay Joli who, too, was present there. As Suri started talking about the "mass massacre and sexual violence" in the conflict zone, Jolly stood from his chair and warned Suri not to "tell a lie" at an international forum and correct it right away. Meanwhile, Jolly was intervened and taken out of the hall. Suri continued with his speech amid eyebrows raised by over 500 important professionals from different countries sitting in a hall of the office of the Prime Minister of Cambodia.
Poverty: A Multidimensional Problem, Nepalese Context
During his speech after a break, another speaker from Pakistan, Syed Yasuf Gilani, former PM of the country, stated that the Jammu and Kashmir issue should be resolved through international mediation.
In his keynote speech, Cambodian PM Hun Sen expressed pleasure to have hosted an event meant for world peace and development. "Cambodia has seen war, miseries, genocide. We started from point zero and today we are marching toward becoming a developed country," he said.
Former and first Vice President of Nepal, Paramananda Jha stressed unity and mutual respect amongst South Asian nations for the common goal of harmony and sustainable development.
On the occasion, director of Nepal Republic Media, Shova Gyawali grabbed attention as she narrated how Nepal ended the war and moved toward peace and stability. While speaking on 'the role of media and education in nation-building and peace' she argued that only a fair and fearless media can show the right path to a country. "Our nation was conflict-hit and the media played a powerful role in leading the nation towards peace and stability," she said.
A considerable number of youths from the South Asian nations had joined the program.
