Kathmandu, Oct 18: The United Nations Day was observed here today by organising various programmes. Although the UN Day is observed on October 24 every year, it was celebrated today in Nepal as Dashain falls coincidently on October 24 this year as per the Nepali calendar.
The event symbolizes Nepal’s commitment towards the UN Charter. As of today, Nepal stands as the second largest troops contributing member state of the UN for global peace and security.
The Nepali Army organised a peace rally on Wednesday. The five-kilometer rally began from the NA headquarters ground went through the Martyr’s Gate, army pavilion, old bus park, Bhadrakali, Tripureswor and Maitighar before it concluded at the NA headquarters.
Chief of the Army Staff Prabhuram Sharma, former army chiefs, generals and high-ranking military officials, former force commanders of different UN Missions, office-bearers of different government and non-government offices, media persons had participated in the rally.
At a special programme of the second event, teams of Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force organised march past as well as different types of procession, taekwondo game while Army band were presented.
On the occasion, chief guest of the programme, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Purna Bahadur Khadka said Nepal is devoted towards UN’s identity and peace keeping mission as well as deploying skilled women peace keepers by adopting gender equality strategy. Sharing that Nepal was ready to send 10,000 trained peacekeeping troops if UN demand, the DPM extended best wishes on the UN Day.
Similarly, Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud mentioned the programme organised in Nepal on the occasion of the UN Day indicates that global peace is also in the priority of Nepal’s foreign policy and Nepal’s remarkable contribution to it.
Lauding the contribution of Nepali peace keepers to keep the image of Nepal high by taking out the conflict-affected communities from the conflict, he expressed commitment to provide full support in deputing skilled military peacekeepers.
Likewise, UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal, Hanaa Singer-Hamdy lauded Nepal’s contribution to UN peacekeeping which started with five soldier observers to more than 6,000 at present.
Chief of Army Staff, Prabhu Ram Sharma, stressed that military peacekeepers should have modern equipment and have high-professional capability as peacekeepers are also facing risk due to the changed situation.
