PM Dahal Trims UNGA Delegation: A Bold Move Amid Economic Challenges

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has issued a directive to streamline the delegation representing Nepal at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). In an effort to exercise fiscal responsibility, the delegation list, which originally consisted of 24 individuals, will be substantially reduced to just five members.

Citing Nepal’s current economic challenges, a source from Baluwatar quoted PM Dahal as saying, “The country’s economic state is also not so good now. There is no meaning of taking a big delegation in such times.” Chief Secretary Baikuntha Aryal has been tasked with presenting the proposal to downsize the delegation during the upcoming Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

The initial delegation included ten individuals from PM Dahal’s personal secretariat, such as PM’s Chief Political Advisor Haribol Gajurel, Personal Secretaries Ganga Dahal and Ramesh Malla, Press Advisor Govinda Acharya, Personal Photographer Pradip Onta, Personal Videographer Navaraj Dahal, Personal Doctor Yuvaraj Sharma, and three security personnel.

The revised delegation will now comprise only one personal secretary, a photographer, and two security personnel, with the identity of the personal secretary yet to be determined. Ganga Dahal, who is also the daughter of PM Dahal, may accompany her father, according to the source. This downsized delegation is set to be the smallest ever led by a Prime Minister to the UNGA.

Additionally, Chief Secretary Aryal, PM’s Chief Political Advisor Haribol Gajurel, National Security Advisor Shankar Das Bairagi, as well as several joint secretaries and under secretaries from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, who were initially part of the delegation, will be excluded.

A separate team under the leadership of Foreign Minister NP Saud is scheduled to depart for the United States on Tuesday in preparation for PM Dahal’s visit. PM Dahal is slated to address the 78th UNGA in New York on September 21. During his visit, he will participate in various programs, including the Sustainable Development Goals Summit, Climate Ambition Summit, and other engagements.

He is also set to attend a banquet dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden in honor of heads of state and government attending the UNGA. PM Dahal will additionally hold meetings with various dignitaries on the sidelines of the UNGA. Following his visit to the United States, PM Dahal will travel directly to China on September 22.