President Paudel Addresses Joint Session of Federal Parliament

Honorable Speaker,
Honorable Chairperson of the National Assembly,
Honorable Members of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly,

1. I feel honored to address the joint session of both houses of the Federal Parliament following the recently concluded House of Representatives elections.

2. First and foremost, I pay heartfelt tribute to all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the historical movements, struggles, and the recent Gen-Z movement led by the Nepali people. I express my high respect for the leaders who spearheaded all the movements and struggles that brought us to this Federal Democratic Republic.

3. As we are all aware, following the movement of the younger generation for the promotion of good governance and corruption control, the then House of Representatives was dissolved with the announcement of forming an interim government under the leadership of Sushila Karki to hold elections within 6 months to resolve the complex situation in the country. On Falgun 21, the elections were held on time in a free, fair, and peaceful manner, and a government has been formed according to the fresh mandate. I would like to congratulate all the political parties, candidates, and elected representatives who participated in the election. I wish them success in their tenure.

4. The main responsibility of the interim government was to conduct the elections on time. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the then government for skillfully performing its duties in bringing the state machinery back on track, reducing corruption, promoting good governance, and protecting constitutional and democratic rights, including improvements in service delivery.

5. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the then government, the Election Commission, civil servants, security personnel, political parties, and all voters who played their part in conducting the House of Representatives elections in a peaceful and fair manner.

6. I would like to express my gratitude and thanks to all political parties, youth activists and leaders, constitutional bodies, security agencies, civil servants, the entire state machinery, and the restraint shown by the Nepali people during the country's critical and sensitive situation.

7. Through the elections, the House of Representatives has been formed with unprecedented youth representation in Nepal's parliamentary history, and the new government has already begun its work. This sends a clear message that the younger generation has developed an attraction, trust, participation, and leadership in the Federal Democratic Republican system of governance.

8. The people aspire for an accountable and transparent governance system, effective service delivery, the end of corruption in all sectors and levels, the establishment of good governance, the rule of law, employment opportunities within the country, the end of impunity, social justice, rapid socio-economic development, peace, and stability. This was also the essence, sentiment, and desire expressed by the Nepali people through repeated public movements, struggles, and the recent movement of the younger generation.

9. To fulfill these aspirations of the people, the Parliament must enact citizen-centric and welfare-oriented laws. I am confident that the government will ensure the effective and result-oriented implementation of the laws in accordance with their spirit and intent. Furthermore, only if the judiciary can deliver swift, independent, and fair justice will it be a true tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their precious lives for change.

10. The practice and experience of the last 10 years of implementing the current Constitution are important for us. The foundations of the Federal Democratic Republic have been institutionalized. However, there is still much work to be done in accordance with the spirit and sentiment of the Constitution and the desires of the people.

11. The aspirations of today's youth are much newer than in the past. They want to learn new things. Traditional labor sectors alone cannot meet the expectations of the workforce entering the labor market. Therefore, the government will focus on the current main necessity of improving the educational system to seek new employment opportunities and produce manpower according to market demand, making the youth who have migrated abroad want to stay in their own country and villages.

12. Similarly, I believe that the government will not delay in developing a culture that respects labor and providing fair returns for work to change the perception that nothing can be achieved by working in the country. No country has ever progressed with a frustrated workforce. The government will focus special attention on breaking the current state of frustration seen among educated unemployed youth.

13. To control corruption, ensure good governance, and make the general public feel the presence of the state, public service delivery must be efficient. I am confident that the government will leave no stone unturned in arranging service delivery so that citizens can feel the government's presence at their doorsteps by removing delays and irregularities in the service delivery of government machinery.

14. Considering the conflict and instability seen in the global environment in recent days, there is a need for the government and all concerned parties to keep national interest at the center and advance diplomatic relations with neighboring and friendly nations based on balanced, reliable, and mutual respect and cooperation.

15. The government will take appropriate initiatives with the global community for climate justice to mitigate the negative impacts caused by climate change.

16. To achieve the common goal of strengthening the democratic republic, promoting national unity, and economic prosperity in the country, we need to move forward unitedly, not by being divided, and by learning from the past rather than dwelling on past bitterness.

17. Finally, calling upon all Nepali people, representatives, political parties, and the state machinery to move forward unitedly on the journey of good governance, development, and prosperity by embracing democratic values, norms, and ideals, I express my belief that the sovereign Parliament will succeed in articulating the Nepali people's desire for freedom, social justice, good governance, and prosperity.

Jai Nepal.

(2082 Chaitra 27, Friday)

Address by President Ramchandra Paudel to the joint session of both houses of the Federal Parliament