NEW YORK — Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has been engaged in a busy schedule of bilateral and multilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Khanal arrived in New York on Monday morning leading the Nepali delegation to the UN General Assembly. Since his arrival, he has been attending strategically important meetings and holding discussions with foreign ministers, government representatives and officials from various international organizations, according to Nepal’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
On Wednesday, Khanal held a bilateral meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. During the meeting, Khanal briefed Jaishankar on the devastating floods in Rasuwa on September 10 and appreciated India’s assistance to Nepal during the crisis.
Jaishankar, in turn, conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the people of Nepal through Foreign Minister Khanal.
Khanal also met with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. During the meeting, Khanal expressed gratitude for Japan’s support to Nepal following the recent disaster.
Motegi expressed Japan’s readiness to provide immediate, medium-term and long-term assistance to Nepal in view of the difficult situation caused by the floods. He informed Khanal that Japan would provide US$3 million in immediate emergency assistance.
The Japanese foreign minister also expressed condolences over the loss and damage caused by the disaster and sympathy for the affected families. He said Japan, as a close friend of Nepal, wanted to provide all possible support.
The two ministers also discussed the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan. Motegi expressed confidence that the Nepal-Japan Festival scheduled to be held in Kathmandu in November would further strengthen bilateral relations.
Meanwhile, Khanal held a sideline meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker. Following the meeting, Hooker expressed the United States’ commitment to supporting Nepal in dealing with the devastating floods.
The United States subsequently announced an additional US$31 million in assistance to Nepal.
According to a statement issued by the U.S. Department of State, Hooker expressed sympathy for people and families affected by the floods along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers.
The United States will provide US$10 million for the construction of permanent bridges and US$8 million for sanitation, drinking water, shelters and life-saving assistance for flood-affected communities. The statement also said drones worth approximately US$13 million would be provided to support disaster-related information and assessment.
During his busy schedule, Khanal also met with foreign ministers from Uganda, the Maldives and other countries, briefing them on the damage Nepal has suffered due to climate change and the recent floods.
According to Nepal’s Permanent Mission in New York, Khanal has been seeking international support for climate justice and urging countries and international organizations to assist Nepal in addressing the impacts of climate change.
In his meetings, Khanal highlighted the increasing challenges Nepal is facing due to climate change, citing the Bhotekoshi floods as a recent example. He has urged world leaders, foreign ministers and representatives of international organizations to support Nepal's call for climate justice.
Khanal also met representatives of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where discussions were held on investment, trade and other areas of economic cooperation.
On Tuesday, he participated in a Global South programme organized by the Government of India and addressed the ministerial-level conference.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Balendra Shah arrived in New York on Wednesday leading the Nepali delegation to the 81st UN General Assembly. He is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Friday morning Nepal time before returning home.
As Prime Minister Shah prepares to address the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Khanal is scheduled to remain engaged in various sideline meetings and discussions.
Khanal will remain in New York for several more days, with additional bilateral meetings and international engagements scheduled. Foreign Ministry Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and representatives from the Nepali Embassy in Washington, D.C., are accompanying him.
Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Lok Bahadur Thapa, has also been participating in several UNGA sideline meetings.
