PM Dahal addresses Summit on Voice of Global South

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has addressed the 2nd Summit on Voice of Global South.

PM Dahal addressed the virtual event on Friday. He said, ‘At the outset, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Prime Minister of India His Excellency Shri Narendra Modiji for inviting me to join this important 2nd Summit on Voice of Global South.’

The theme of this Leaders’ Session of the Summit “Global South: Together for One Future” is timely and relevant in the present context especially as we grapple with a multitude of challenges in a world beset with turbulence. PM Dahal appreciated the successful organization by the Government of India of the first Voice of the Global South Summit earlier this year which recognized that growth and development must focus on the most vulnerable. It further helped place the concerns of developing countries on the G20 agenda.

PM Dahal congratulated India on its successful G20 Presidency and its substantial achievements. He reflected on the challenges of the least developing countries in the virtual seminar.

‘Excellencies, we are facing unprecedented crises generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and deepening geo-political complexities. They have impacts on food and nutrition, health and education, economy and environment, and peace and security,’ PM Dahal said.

Developing countries especially the LDCs are the most affected ones by these crises. Rising food and energy prices, tightening financial conditions, and persistent cycles of vulnerabilities continue to add to their worries. Many countries of the Global South are under an unsustainable debt burden which is straining investments in health, education, social justice, and other pressing national priorities.

PM Dahal said, ‘We believe that to address the challenges facing the world, the international community must focus on common goals of peace, progress, and prosperity. For this, building trust, promoting partnership and collaboration, and working in solidarity remain crucial. We need to champion inclusive and sustainable global growth, in which the Global South receives a fair share to eradicate poverty and give their people a decent life.’

Similarly, he even reflected on the state of Nepal. Nepal remains steadfast in its commitment to multilateralism, with the United Nations at the center.

Nonetheless, PM Dahal said the existing global governance architecture needs a timely reform to make it relevant and reflective of today’s realities. At the same time, reform of the international financial architecture should be a top priority with full consideration to the voice of the countries in special situations, including LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS.

Climate change remains a grave threat to humanity. Climate-vulnerable countries like Nepal have been bearing the burden of climate change. The effect of climate change on the Himalayas has posed a severe threat to the lives and livelihoods of millions of people living in our region.

Likewise, PM Dahal said, ‘We all must commit ourselves to achieving the set ambitions in a time-bound manner. With full commitment to the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, Nepal has set a target of reaching a net-zero emission by 2045 through, among other things, conserving and sustainably managing natural resources, undertaking effective adaption and mitigation measures, and promoting a green, resilient and inclusive economy.’

PM Dahal even shared the happiness of Nepal graduating from LDC status. He added, ‘In this context, we believe that easy access to climate finance is a prerequisite to low-carbon and climate-resilient development. Excellencies, Talking about our national priorities, I feel happy to share that Nepal is graduating from the LDC status by 2026 and we are committed to making this process smooth, sustainable, and irreversible.’

‘Sustainable Development Goals remain at the center of our development vision and priorities with integration into national policies and plans. But even the progress that we achieved so far has been threatened by the multitude of global crises. Hence, we have been calling for an enhanced level of international support from our partners such as development assistance, FDI, trade facilitation, technology transfer, and technical assistance,’ added PM Dahal.

He suggested that South-South cooperation should also be forthcoming to lift the most needy countries. PM Dahal said, ‘Excellencies, to conclude while expressing our sincere commitment to work closely with the international community to advance the cause of developing countries, I wish this Summit every success in sketching a path ahead for meaningful cooperation and coordination to help shape a participatory-One Future.’

(Based on Remarks by PM Dahal at the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS 2.0) 17 November 2023; Theme: “Global South: Together for One Future” )