Kathmandu: The following is the complete text of the statement delivered by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York:

Mr. President,
Your Excellencies the Heads of State and Government,
Mr. Secretary-General,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I stand here as a humble representative of thirty million proud Nepali people.
At the very outset, allow me to extend my sincere congratulations to you, Mr. President, and distinguished members of the Bureau on your well-deserved elections. I would also like to reaffirm Nepal’s full support as you undertake the important responsibilities entrusted to you.
We extend our deepest appreciation to His Excellency Mr. Dennis Francis, the outgoing President, for his commendable leadership in successfully guiding the 78th Session of the Assembly.
Our highest accolades are due to the Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, for his tireless dedication to reinforcing multilateralism in tackling global challenges. I fondly recall your visit to Nepal last year, Mr. Secretary-General, and your message of peace from the sacred birthplace of Gautam Buddha, and the message of climate catastrophe of mountains from the Everest region.

Mr. President,
The world is at a watershed moment in history. The contrast between rich and poor, harmony and hatred, and economic development and environmental destruction has never been as stark as they are today. Both people and the planet stand on the brink of climate catastrophe.
Geopolitical rivalries are resurging. Military expenditures are skyrocketing along with an unabated arms race. The specter of nuclear conflict looms larger than ever before. On one hand, our economy remains frail, still grappling with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other, nationalism and protectionism have re-emerged, even before we have reaped the benefits that liberalization and globalization were meant to deliver.

Even after three hundred years of industrialization and modernization, it is deeply troubling that, in our so-called civilized world of the 21st century, wealth and prosperity are concentrated mostly in the hands of the Global North, while poverty and destitution are heavily concentrated in the Global South, particularly in the least developed countries (LDCs).
To overcome these travesties, we must demonstrate leadership that promotes meaningful cooperation and collaboration. It is only through collective will and unified action that we can turn the tide and usher in an era of enduring peace and shared prosperity for all.

In this context, the theme of this Session — “Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations” — could not be more timely or relevant.
We have reaffirmed our commitment through the 'Summit of the Future' to build a safe, just, and sustainable world for both present and future generations. This pledge is embodied in the three pivotal documents we have adopted: Pact of the Future, Declaration on Future Generations, and the Global Digital Compact. We must demonstrate our determination to implement these documents for the well-being of present and future generations.

Mr. President,
Allow me to underline that the principle of ‘Leaving No One Behind’ has long been the cornerstone of Nepal’s approach to development across all sectors. This philosophy is enshrined in our Constitution, which upholds the values of democracy by guaranteeing inclusivity, equality, justice, proportional representation, human rights, and social protection for the most vulnerable sections of society.
I am determined to lead my country with deep conviction to 'comprehensive democracy'.
For me, comprehensive democracy ensures equal rights, equal access to opportunities, social justice, protection of vulnerable communities, and the security and dignity of all individuals. Democracy goes far beyond the right of the people to choose their leaders; it is about leading the people toward prosperity and happiness so that they can feel the highest level of dignity.

At the international level, sovereign equality and mutual respect constitute the bedrock of comprehensive democracy. These principles are essential for building a just, inclusive, equitable, representative, and accountable global order.

Mr. President,
As a nation emerging from conflict, Nepal deeply understands the profound value of peace and political stability. Since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord in 2006, Nepal has been firmly focused on completing the peace process at the earliest. Immediately after the formation of my government, parliament passed a Transitional Justice bill to settle the issue of transitional justice once and for all. While we implement the law, we will uphold victims’ rights, including truth and justice. We will also use reparations and reconciliation to heal the wounds and scars of the conflict period. We appreciate support from the international community, including the UN system, in this regard.

The present government, formed by the collaboration of our two major political parties, is determined to secure stability while driving economic transformation for the inclusive and equitable prosperity of our people. At this juncture, stability and economic transformation are paramount to us more than our periodic competition in elections.
We have dedicated ourselves to realizing our national aspiration: Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.

Nepal will be graduating from its LDC status by 2026. We are diligently working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and aspire to become a developed country by 2043, despite facing significant economic headwinds. However, our path to achieving the SDGs remains fraught with difficulties. We are confronted with a substantial financial gap of about USD 24 billion to attain the 2030 Agenda.
In this backdrop, Nepal hosted the IDA 21 replenishment meeting last June, underscoring the crucial need for continued and enhanced support from the International Development Association (IDA) along with other development partners.

Mr. President,
Climate change has emerged as the gravest threat to our planet, people, and prosperity.
My own country, Nepal, is particularly hard hit. We stand as one of the most vulnerable nations to climate change and are ranked as the 20th most disaster-prone country in the world.

Of utmost concern is the alarming rate at which the pristine Himalayas, often referred to as the Third Pole, are losing their vast snow reserves. This loss threatens water availability for billions of people living downstream, extending far beyond the borders of my country.

Nepal has been contributing to the health of our planet through its forests, mountains, and rivers. Yet, despite these efforts, we continue to bear the brunt of climate change. In this context, we call for climate justice.

Our mountains play a crucial role in regulating the climate and ecosystem of oceans, with their snow-fed rivers flowing down to the oceans. Nepal’s Himalayas, as a natural climate stabilizer, help maintain a cooling system in a region situated in the hottest zone of the planet, between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
Given their significance, it is essential that the mountain agenda receive due attention in climate negotiations.

Nepal is steadfast in its commitment to the Paris Agreement and aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, five years earlier than the global target. Adequate climate financing, including the 'Loss and Damage' fund, is crucial to support climate-resilient measures and infrastructure for adaptation in developing countries, particularly in LDCs.

Mr. President,
Nepal’s land is blessed with the wisdom of great sages from both the Hindu and Buddhist faiths, particularly the teachings of Gautam Buddha. This profound legacy has shaped our worldview to seek global harmony, peace, and security. The values of love, harmony, tolerance, and empathy, as espoused by Gautam Buddha, hold even greater relevance today than they did over two thousand five hundred years ago.

But, to our deep dismay, the world is increasingly distressed by division, suspicion, hatred, and enmity.
Nepal firmly believes that dialogue and diplomacy are the sole means to resolve conflicts, including in Ukraine and the Middle East. It is through love and compassion that hostility and hatred can be overcome, paving the way for lasting peace.

On the issue of the Israel-Palestine conflict, we continue to support a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine coexist peacefully and securely within internationally recognized borders, in line with relevant United Nations resolutions. We must address the worsening humanitarian crises in regions such as Libya, Syria, Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, and elsewhere.

It is vital to uphold the principles of sovereign equality and non-interference, as enshrined in the UN Charter, to ensure peace and stability. Consequently, we staunchly oppose any form of unilateral intervention or sanctions.

Mr. President,
Disarmament and non-proliferation must be prioritized. Nepal strongly advocates for the general and complete disarmament of all weapons of mass destruction. As the host country to the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, Nepal believes that regional efforts, including the Kathmandu Process, strengthen the global disarmament regime.

Technology presents a double-edged sword, especially for the Least Developed Countries. If we harness it, we can make remarkable progress. If we fail, it will leave us further behind. We call for technology transfer to enable us to catch up.

Mr. President,
Nepal has always adhered to a peaceful, independent, balanced, and non-aligned foreign policy, based on the principles of Panchsheel, the UN Charter, international law, and norms of world peace.
We conduct our foreign policy with profound belief in Amity with All, Enmity with None. Nepal remains committed to further strengthening its close, cordial, and constructive relations