Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Nepal Lila Peters Yahia today paid a courtesy call on Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal.
A comprehensive discussion was held at the meeting on contemporary issues such as Nepal-United Nations collaboration, youth engagement, education, gender equality, diplomacy, and climate change, the Speaker's secretariat said.
On the occasion, Speaker Aryal welcomed the UN Resident Coordinator and expressed the firm commitments on behalf of the Government of Nepal and the Federal Parliament to work in tandem with the United Nations.
Highlighting remarkable participation of youth in the House of Representatives formed after the recent general election, Aryal described it as an epochal achievement in Nepal's democratic practice.
"After the election, we are focused on advancing performance-oriented works," Speaker Aryal said, adding that, "Empowering youth and engaging the experience of previous generations is the need of the hour."
He mentioned that increasing women's participation is essential for strengthening inclusive democracy.
He clarified that the Parliament would lay its focus on effective lawmaking to bring improvements to fundamental sectors such as education and health through the coordination of experience, energy and capabilities across generations.
Shedding light on Nepal's contribution to the peacekeeping mission, Speaker Aryal stated that Nepal is among the leading contributors to the United Nations peacekeeping missions.
He also expressed commitment to making appropriate decisions through necessary studies in line with Nepal’s national interest regarding international treaties and conventions.
Regarding the climate change issue, Speaker Aryal noted that although Nepal has insignificant carbon emissions, it is severely experiencing direct and disproportionate impacts. "The glaciers are melting rapidly, livelihoods are being affected and the frequency of disasters is increasing," he said, "Nepal has been continuously raising its voice at international platforms for climate justice."
On this occasion, Residential Coordinator Yahia congratulated Speaker Aryal on behalf of the UN Secretary-General and the UN team in Nepal, lauding Nepal's democratic achievement.
She noted that successful conduct of elections and forming a youth-oriented parliament after a transitional period is exemplary not only for Nepal but also for the world.