Nepal PM extends solidarity to Stand Up 2009

Kathmandu, Nepal

 
Message from the Prime Minister                             

On the call of United Nations Millennium Campaign, millions people around the world are standing up against poverty for three days on 16, 17 and 18 October 2009 in the occasion of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2009. Nepal has adopted this year’s slogan as "let us be committed to eradicate poverty for sustainable peace" appears to be more relevant in the present context. On behalf of the Government of Nepal, I would like to extend my solidarity for the grand success of the stand up and take action campaign.

Peace building, political stability and people-oriented economic development are the focus areas for Nepal and I have also expressed this during the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 26th September 2009. I raised there the issue that people of developing countries and especially the LDCs, need their own international financial rescue package to ensure we do not backtrack on programme towards the MDGs. The global crises have posed a serious challenge to the fight against poverty in the LDCs.

I have also brought  attention of the international community that the prevailing economic crisis should not become an excuse for curtailing the aid commitments regarding the MDGs and other internationally agreed development goals.

Although food crisis and hunger; economic crisis along with climate change have emerged as new challenges before us, I believe that we can achieve the MDGs, if we work together constructively. In a context where there are only six years left to achieve the MDGs by 2015, political consensus, mutual understanding and commitment to act together is needed in developing and implementing the policy and programmes that address poverty and inequality.

The major responsibility of the government is to promote a just and equitable investment and distribution of the public resources and services, in the absence of which a just society cannot be established and poverty eradication can never be achieved. The policies, programmes and budget of the government have prioritized the programmes directly related to the MDGS with a focus on social security and public services. It has also paved ways for the implementation of women focus programmes in order to end the Violence against Women. I call upon to all concerned agencies to implement the policies and programmes sincerely within the stipulated time frame that would help us in addressing the poverty and inequality leading to achieving the MDGs.

I am hopeful that such campaign will give impetus to the political leaders in order to identifying and addressing the poverty related issues through new constitution. 

Finally, I would like to extend my best wishes for the success of this campaign and thank all who have been engaged in this campaign.

 

October 16, 2009                                          Madhav Kumar Nepal