KATHMANDU, Sept 1: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Monday underscored the importance of revitalizing multilateralism while addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus Meeting in Tianjin, China.
Highlighting global challenges such as widening inequalities, economic turbulence, climate emergencies, and cross-border conflicts, Oli emphasized that no nation can prosper in isolation and that multilateral cooperation is essential for peace, stability, and shared development.
“The rules-based order has been challenged, and peace and justice remain elusive. Yet abandoning multilateralism is not the answer. We need a revitalized multilateralism now,” Oli said, advocating for a more effective and inclusive global governance system with the United Nations at its core.
Oli welcomed China’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI) as a step toward strengthening multilateralism and stressed that the SCO must become more united, integrated, and resilient to tackle geopolitical, economic, and ecological challenges.
Reaffirming Nepal’s commitment to regional cooperation, the Prime Minister highlighted threats such as terrorism, climate change, cyber-attacks, and pandemics, noting that Nepal, with the Himalayas at its heart, experiences climate risks directly. He also stressed the urgency of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals within the next five years.
PM Oli outlined three key shifts for the region: from isolation to connectivity, from confrontation to consultation, and from competition to cooperation. He underscored the importance of physical, economic, digital, socio-cultural, and people-to-people connectivity, while encouraging dialogue and partnership over disputes and rivalry.
Noting Nepal’s status as a Dialogue Partner since 2016, Oli expressed hope for the country’s admission as a full SCO member. He concluded by reaffirming Nepal’s support for a rules-based, inclusive multilateral system and called for strengthening friendships, partnerships, and good neighbourly relations within the SCO region.
Full Text of the Statement Delivered by Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli at the ‘Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus Meeting’ Tianjin, China
PM Oli to address SCO Plus Summit today
His Excellency Mr. Xi Jinping,
Chair of this Meeting and President of the People’s Republic of China,
Your Excellencies,
the Heads of State and Government from SCO Member States,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great honour to address the SCO Plus Meeting in Tianjin—a city that shines with beauty, culture, and innovation. Let me extend the warm greetings and best wishes of the Nepali people for the success of this Meeting, as well as for the continued progress and prosperity of all SCO Member States. My delegation joins me in expressing our sincere gratitude to the Government of China for the generous hospitality and excellent arrangements made for this meeting.
Excellencies,
We live in an age of extraordinary progress: in science, technology, and innovation. Yet, this progress is overshadowed by deep fractures: widening inequalities, economic turbulence, climate emergencies, and conflicts that defy borders. In such a world, no nation can remain secure in isolation. No people can prosper in fragmentation. This is why multilateralism is an imperative of our time.
Yet, we must face a harsh truth. The rules-based order has been challenged. Peace and justice remain elusive. Thus, multilateralism is in crisis. And this crisis is not only external—it also stems from its failure to deliver. Multilateral forums promise much, but too often, they deliver little. Promises without progress erode trust.
But abandoning multilateralism is not the answer. We need a revitalized multilateralism now. We must make the global governance system more effective and efficient by placing the United Nations at its core. In this context, the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) proposed by China would help strengthen the multilateral system by making it more just, inclusive, and equitable for a community with a shared future for humanity.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization will complement the spirit of revitalized multilateralism based on sovereign equality. Furthermore, there is an urgency for a revitalized SCO that is:
— More united,
— More integrated, and
— More resilient to tackle deepening geopolitical, economic, and ecological shocks that threaten our shared future.
Nepal, a proud Dialogue Partner since 2016, looks forward to being admitted as a full member.
Excellencies,
We cannot speak of peace without addressing regional security. Threats cross borders every day. Terrorism robs societies of safety and opportunity. Climate change multiplies risk. Nepal, with the Himalaya at its heart, feels its wrath directly. While our mountains serve as global climate stabilizers, they are being stripped of their snow reserves, endangering the lives of billions living downstream. Emerging threats such as cyberattacks, pandemics, and ecological shocks are not confined by borders. With just five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we are clearly off-track.
Mr. Chair, Excellencies,
In these turbulent times, regional cooperation is a tool to tackle shared challenges—economic, technological, and ecological. Nepal’s commitment to regional cooperation is steadfast, and our relations with SCO members are strong.
Excellencies,
The path ahead requires three shifts:
First, from isolation to connectivity. We must foster regional peace, progress, and prosperity through enhanced physical, economic, digital, socio-cultural, and people-to-people connectivity.
Second, from confrontations to consultations. Disagreements are natural, but disputes need not be destructive. By embracing the Shanghai Spirit, we should step up dialogue and diplomacy to nurture deeper understanding.
Third, from competition to cooperation. The world needs more partnership, not partition. By working together, regionally and globally, we can build a just, inclusive, and resilient order and achieve sustainable development. Such “whole-of-the-world” coordination will ensure that no nation is left behind.
Mr. Chair,
In conclusion, Nepal reaffirms its commitment to enhancing regional cooperation within the SCO. We support a rules-based, inclusive multilateral system for a sustainable future. Let us uphold the Shanghai Spirit. Let us strengthen friendships, partnerships, and good neighbourly relations. A resilient and prosperous SCO region is within our reach when we are committed to act together.
Thank you!
