Nepal’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Lok Bahadur Thapa, addressed the General Debate of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly on September 26, 2025, using the platform to acknowledge a transformative, youth-led political movement at home and call for urgent global solidarity to tackle pressing world crises.
Ambassador Thapa focused heavily on recent domestic developments, describing Nepal as standing “at a historical cross-roads”. He opened his statement by recognizing the powerful movement led by Nepali youth, particularly “Gen-Z,” who took to the streets earlier this month with a “clear and compelling voice for change”.
The Ambassador noted that the protests were driven by a demand for transparent, accountable, and responsive governance. “Their call was not for narrow interests, but for a nation built on the pillars of good governance,” he said, citing demands for an end to corruption, efficient public services, and dignified job opportunities.
He lamented the violence that erupted during the demonstrations—often referred to as the “Gen-Z protests”—which claimed lives and damaged public infrastructure. The unrest, which followed a social media ban and exposed deep frustrations over corruption, led to the resignation of the former Prime Minister and the dissolution of parliament.
Ambassador Thapa highlighted the subsequent political milestones that have placed Nepal on a path toward consolidation and reform. These include the formation of an interim government, the appointment of the country’s first-ever woman Prime Minister, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, on September 12, 2025, the scheduling of fresh general elections for March 5, 2026, aimed at consolidating democracy and restoring public trust.
The Ambassador stated that rebuilding institutions, restoring trust, and healing society “will take time, resources and solidarity,” and he appreciated the continued support of the international community.
Shifting to the global agenda, Ambassador Thapa warned that the world also “stands at a cross-roads”. He pointed to the threat of rising military expenditures, which have soared to over $2.4 trillion, diverting crucial resources from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
He emphasized that multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, must be strengthened and revitalized to respond effectively to global challenges, including the worsening climate crisis and a lack of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ambassador Thapa called for greater climate justice, ambitious climate action, and a fairer global financial architecture. He also demanded that international financial institutions and the UN Security Council be reformed to become more inclusive, transparent, and accountable.
The Ambassador addressed ongoing international conflicts, expressing deep concern over the war in Ukraine and crises in Sudan and the Sahel. He also highlighted the “heavy toll” borne by civilians in Gaza and called for the immediate release of all hostages, specifically mentioning Bipin Joshi, a Nepalese student taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel.
“When the United Nations succeeds, humanity as a whole succeeds. When it falters, it is the innocent and the vulnerable who bear the heaviest cost,” Ambassador Thapa concluded, urging the global community to stand “united and determined” to safeguard peace, uphold justice, and build a world that is fairer, safer, and more humane for all.
Susan Shrestha
View More PostsSusan Shrestha is a Europe-based journalist. He covers a wide range of topics, from local matters to global affairs. Shrestha previously worked as a reporter for Khasokhas in Nepal.
