Kathmandu, April 24

Nepal has been elected Chair of the Committee on Conferences, a permanent subsidiary organ of the United Nations General Assembly, for the year 2018.

Nepal was appointed by the President of the General Assembly as a member of the committee earlier this year for a three-year term (2018-2020), as one of the six member states representing Asia-Pacific Group, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday.

In the committee of 21 member states, the representatives of Hungary, Guyana and the United States were elected vice-chairs while Liberia was elected rapporteur representing five different geographical regions.

Nepal has served as member of this Committee several times in the past and a few times in its bureau on behalf of the Asia-Pacific group. This is the first time Nepal has been entrusted to be its Chair.

Nirmal Raj Kafle, Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations, will act as Chair representing Nepal. This is yet another opportunity for Nepal to further contribute to this multilateral platform, stated the MoFA.

The committee was established by the UNGA on 18 December 1974.

The committee advises the UNGA on all matters pertaining to the organisation of UN Conferences and meetings including their planning and coordination in close consultations with the UN Secretariat and all other stakeholders to avoid duplication; recommends to the UNGA a draft calendar of conferences; recommends the best use of conference-services; advises on current and future conference service requirements and means; and monitors the organisation’s policies on publications.

The committee reports annually to the UNGA.