Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba met with Mr Andreas Kravik, Deputy Foreign Minister of Norway, on the sidelines of the 58th Session of the HRC on Tuesday. (Photo: Minister's Rana X)
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has engaged in bilateral meetings with her counterparts and ministers from participating countries on the sidelines of the high-level segment of the 58th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
During these talks, Dr Rana sought support for Nepal's candidacy for key positions in the United Nations, including membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2027 to 2029, the Economic and Social Council for the term 2029 to 2031, and the Security Council for the term 2037 to 2038, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Similarly, she invited world leaders to participate in the "Sagarmatha Sambaad" being held in Kathmandu in May, 2025, a global dialogue platform to discuss issues of regional and global importance. Hosted by Nepal, the dialogue focuses on the situation of climate change, mountains, and the future of humanity.
The Foreign Minister further urged international support in helping Nepal achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, as Nepal prepares to graduate from a least developed country to a developing nation by 2026.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Dr Rana met with Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Kravik, discussing bilateral relations between Nepal and Norway. During the meeting, she expressed Nepal's appreciation for Norway's support in Nepal's peace process, economic growth and social development. She also sought Norway's support for Nepal's advocacy on climate change and climate justice on international platforms, and in Nepal's preparation for graduation from a least developed country to a developing nation by 2026.
Similarly, Dr Rana held a bilateral meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Edil Baisalov, discussing the impact of climate change on mountainous regions, including Nepal, and collaborative efforts for advancing the agenda of the Himalayas and hills in international forums.
She also engaged in talks with the Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations at the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Charles C. Jose. The two leaders discussed strengthening Nepal-Philippines relations, and promoting cooperation on climate change, and other shared global agendas. Dr Rana was accompanied by Krishna Prasad Dhakal, head of the UN Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ram Prasad Subedi, Nepal's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva.
Earlier on Monday, Dr Rana addressed the 58th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, reaffirming Nepal's continued commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights.
She also announced Nepal's candidacy for a position in the UN Human Rights Council for the term from 2027 to 2029. Participating ministers, representatives and human rights leaders praised Nepal's role in the protection and promotion of human rights, and recognized its peace process model as exemplary. They also discussed the issue of the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal, which enjoys an 'A' category accreditation since its establishment.
It may be noted that Dr Rana led a six-member delegation to the high-level segment, including Joint Secretary of the Human Rights and International Treaty Agreements Division of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers Rajendra Thapa, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nepali Permanent Mission in Geneva, Switzerland.
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