Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday, the prime minister also said goodwill and support from the international community is a must to institutionalize peace, equity and prosperity in Nepal. [break]
“We need a “new Marshall Plan” for the rebuilding and reconstruction of the post-conflict countries,” the prime minister said, adding, “Lip-service and symbolic support are not enough.”
In his maiden address to the annual event of the UN, the prime minister also appealed for international support and cooperation for the development of Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. “The International Committee for Development of Lumbini needs to be reactivated at the earliest,” the prime minister said in his six-page written statement.
The prime minister also told the world leaders that his government is fully committed to concluding the peace process and constitution drafting at the earliest and ensuring inclusive multi-party democracy in the new constitution.
Expressing Nepal´s commitment to human rights, the prime minister assured the United Nations General Assembly to build and strengthen the National Human Rights Commission as a true custodian of human rights in Nepal.
Highlighting Nepal´s long-standing and consistent contribution to the UN peacekeeping missions, Bhattarai also urged the UN body for equitable representation at the leadership level of the UN peace keeping operations.
The prime minister also reiterated Nepal´s foreign policy that there should be reform in the UN Security Council. "Reform must address all the international issues such as representation as well as transparency and accountability in the working methods of the Security Council," the prime minister said outlining Nepal´s policy, calling for an expansion of the Security Council.
Expressing concern over the effect of climate change on Nepal, the prime minister also urged the industrialized countries to bear greater responsibilities to mitigate the effects of climate change on the Nepal´s Himalayas.
On the controversial issue of Palestine´s statehood, the prime minister told the world leaders that Nepal supports Palestine´s bid to become a full member of the United Nations. "It is our principled position that we support a fully independent and sovereign Palestine state based on the UN resolution. We look forward to its materialization at the earliest," the prime minister said.
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