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.

UPEACE Charter is the international treaty prepared to establish University of Peace. Nepal is the 41st country signing the charter of the University.

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.

(with inputs from Rastriya Samachar Samiti)