'Democracy and freedoms are defended with strong institutions'

KATHMANDU, September 23: Nepal has clarified that the Constitution itself has prohibited discrimination and inequality, reaffirming the fact that democracy and freedoms would be protected and promoted only through the robust, live and improved institutions. 

In a video address recorded prior to the 10th ministry-level conference of democratic community organized by Rumania on the occasion of 76th UNGA, Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Poudyal said Nepal government has placed the promotion of gender equality on higher priority. 

Noting that 41 percent elected office-bearers in the federal, provincial and local levels of Nepal are women, he said the political extremism, economic recession, calamities and pandemic such as COVID-19 can be tackled only in an inclusive, participatory, just and democratic governance systems. 

He further claimed that the innate qualifies of democracy can help properly manage dispute, discontent and differences, and also promote tolerance and respect of all citizens. 

Nepal is a member country of democratic community. Presently Romania is the chair of the community. 

Meanwhile, Nepal's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amrit Bahadur Rai today virtually addressed a meeting on impacts of snow and ice in society. The event was jointly hosted by Nepal, Pakistan, Russian Federation and Tajikistan, among others. 

He laid emphasis on elevated and coordinated efforts from national, regional and international fronts for the preservation of mountains and ecosystems which are the source of clean water. 

Rai also stressed the need to lessen the greenhouse emission in Nepal while presenting the effects of climate change in the country.