KATHMANDU: The UN University for Peace has awarded the degree of 'doctor honoris causa' to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at a special convocation organised in San José on Monday.

The honorary doctorate has been conferred on the Prime Minister in recognition of his contribution to achieving peace and democracy in Nepal.

In his acceptance statement on the occasion, PM Oli said, “For me, this honour is an acknowledgement of my country’s successful peace process and appreciation of peace-loving Nepali people. Moreover, with humility, I must submit that this recognition is bestowed on a citizen of the country that gave birth to Buddha – an apostle of peace. I must commend the University for its immense contribution, as a centre of learning and research, to promoting the culture of understanding, tolerance and peace around the world.”

Referring to last week's general debate of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly, PM Oli noted that no matter where the leaders came from, no matter which country they represented, they were united in their call for a peaceful planet, shared progress and prosperity of humanity.

He added that in the march against many global challenges, institutions like the University should be at the frontline. 'For, they have the answer to the many dilemmas we face today.'

“Education that inculcates tolerance and compassion, respects diversity and accommodates differences while unleashing the infinite potential of human mind is the answer to the problems humanity faces today,” he said, adding that after all education was a lifelong process.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister also commended the contributions made by the University as a hub of knowledge for conflict prevention and peace.

“Thousands of lives have been lost due to the civil wars and violent conflicts. The menace of terrorism has not abated, and its tentacles threaten humanity in every part of the world. Extremism that doesn’t respect diversity and pluralistic nature of human society is showing its ugly head. We must note that diversity is inherent in nature; and no one can go against this.”

Also touching on environmental issue, PM Oli stated that ecological balance had been upset. “With the temperature rising, glaciers retreating, snow melting and sea level rising, the climate change has accelerated. And, our responses do not match the enormous challenges that are the results of human recklessness.... We together have the responsibility to hand over a habitable planet to our future generations. We must fulfil our accountability towards them.'

Talking about migration, he said, with millions of people on the move, migration today was a mega trend. “Response is needed to ensure that people migrate as a choice but not by compulsion. The world needs to come together to ensure the human rights of migrants and to make migration safe, orderly and regular.'

Prime Minister Oli also talked about the potential of human mind and that it hadn't optimally been realised. He said human imagination, innovation and invention had brought tremendous break-throughs in history, therefore adding, proper education and opportunity would be instrumental in rowing the raft of progress. He stressed the need to identify willing minds and invest in them for their fuller development.

Rector of Rodrigo Carazo Campus at the Central Valley, Francisco Rajos Aravena, welcomed PM Oli to the University. On the occasion, Rector Aravena briefed the visiting Nepali PM about similarities and differences between Costa Rica and Nepal.

Similarly, Head of the Department of International Law and Human Rights at the Peace University, Mihir Kanade, informed that PM Oli was conferred the honorary title in recognition of his contribution for establishing peace in Nepal.

Likewise, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, Lorena Aguilar, talked about the significant role played by PM Oli in terms of establishing democracy and peace in Nepal.

Nepali Ambassador to Costa Rica, Arjun Kumar Kakri shared that the people-to-people relation between Nepal and Costa Rica was extended four decades after the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The event was followed by a launch reception, organised at the 'Recreative Park' of the University in honour of PM Oli.

Accompanying PM Oli in the reception were his spouse Radhika Shakya, Chief Advisor to the PM Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shanker Das Bairagi, Chief of Protocal Deepak Adhikari and senior-officials of the government of Nepal.