Respect diversity and promote dialogue for durable peace: Minister Saud

Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud has underscored the importance of the time-tested principles of the Non-Aligned Movement and urged global leaders to make a collective effort in promoting dialogue, understanding, and peaceful resolutions to conflicts.

Addressing the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial Meeting of the NAM Coordinating Bureau held in Baku, Azerbaijan on Wednesday under the theme “NAM: United and steadfast in confronting emerging challenges”, he shed light on the current global challenges and said that durable peace must be promoted through dialogue and respect for diversity.

The Foreign Minister stressed the need to foster international cooperation within NAM, deepen south-south cooperation and strengthen multilateralism with the United Nations at the center to resolve global problems. “Nepal firmly believes in the principles of NAM and the power of unity in confronting these challenges.”

He also highlighted the need to accelerate economic development to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and strive for a just, inclusive, and equitable world order. He further added that NAM must champion reforming international financial institutions to make them more inclusive, transparent, and effective, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

While highlighting Nepal's aspiration of graduating from the least-developed country by 2026, the Foreign Minister also underlined the adverse impacts of climate change in Nepal and stressed the need for collective advocacy of NAM for climate justice, promoting sustainable development, and mobilizing support for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

On the sidelines of the event, the Foreign Minister had bilateral meetings with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuala Yuvan Gil-Pinto, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Mesganu Arga Moach, and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Do Hung Viet.

The Foreign Minister is scheduled to meet President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Minister for Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov tomorrow, adds the release.