Kathmandu, April 30

UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Kenneth Eliasson today said the lessons that Nepal learnt from last year’s devastating earthquakes would be of great significance to many countries.

During his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa at the latter’s office, Eliasson also ‘underlined the significance of preventive measures and the ability to build back better’, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On the occasion, views were exchanged on matters relating to the devastation caused by the earthquakes, reconstruction works, the forthcoming World Humanitarian Summit as well recent political developments in Nepal.

While referring to large scale destruction in the earthquakes that Nepal confronted last year, Eliasson also spoke about strong and positive reactions from the international community in support of Nepal.

Thapa apprised him of the reconstruction works being undertaken by the government in the affected areas and also stated that the process of reconstruction, though delayed for some time, had now gained momentum.

The UN official also highlighted the significance of the forthcoming World Humanitarian Summit, to be held in Istanbul of Turkey from 23-24 May, as the world continues to confront both man-made and natural disasters and also inquired about Nepal’s participation in the summit.

Deputy Prime Minister Thapa told the UN Deputy Secretary General about the “highly representative and broad-based constitution making process, inclusiveness as well as the progressive nature of the constitution,” MoFA said in the statement.

Thapa also informed him about the ongoing efforts of the government to address the remaining issues in the spirit of accommodation and compromise within the framework of the constitution.

Eliasson landed in Kathmandu on a three-day visit earlier today. He is  scheduled to call on President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and meet leaders of major political parties.