Foreign Secretary Addresses Poverty and Climate Crisis at UN General Assembly

New York. Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai has stated that poverty is not just a lack of income but a state of deprivation of basic capabilities, security, and human rights.

Addressing a high-level discussion organized at the United Nations Headquarters in New York during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Secretary Rai said that a multidimensional approach is necessary for poverty eradication. He mentioned that although Nepal has made progress in poverty reduction, various challenges still remain. He stated that the impact of the rapidly increasing climate crisis is becoming severe among these challenges. Mentioning that the recent devastating climate-induced disaster in Nepal caused significant damage to valuable human lives as well as important infrastructure, Secretary Rai said that developing countries are disproportionately bearing a large impact due to climate change. He emphasized climate-resilient development, climate justice, and reducing the financial and technological gap. He also urged the international community to accelerate the implementation of global development commitments, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 'Pact for the Future'.