Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, said the promulgation of constitution on September 20 last year represented a turning point in Nepal’s constitutional and political history. In his key note speech to the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) today, Minister Mahat maintained that the Constitution of Nepal aims to institutionalize inclusive and democratic polity and uphold pluralism, the rule of law, representative and accountable government, social and economic justice and universally accepted human rights. “Equality is at the core of the constitution,” Minister Mahat assured, adding, “The state is obliged to take special measures to protect the most marginalized and under-represented sections of society and look after their wellbeing.” He argued the Nepal’s constitution was not a rigid document rather a ‘living and dynamic document’ capable of addressing any remaining or new issues within its framework. He said the two amendments that were made within months of its promulgation have amply proven its dynamism. During the address, Minister Mahat informed the UNGA of Nepal Government’s current engagement in dialogue with concerned political parties to find out an acceptable solution to some of the issues where differences have persisted. He stressed that the constitution guaranteed equal participation and incorporated principle of proportional representation of the women, indigenous nationalities, Madheshis, Dalits and other marginalized groups in elected and other organs of the state structure. He also expressed Nepal’s strong commitment to gender equality and empowerment of women. Minister Mahat said Nepal was now at a crucial phase of of constitution implementation and underlined the ultimate goals to consolidate peace, stability and bring about prosperity in the country. “Inclusive economic growth and development is important to sustain political gains,” he said, adding “The constitution provides a framework to pursue these objectives.” He further added that democratic elections at all three tiers of the federal set up will have to be completed within February 2018 and shared the government’s resolve in overseeing the task. The task of completing remaining issues of peace process, reconstruction and rebuilding of the earthquake ravaged areas, and attaining inclusive prosperity and development constitute our top priorities, he said Minister Mahat shared confidence that Nepal’s friends in the international community would ‘stand by us in our efforts to consolidate strong foundation for a peaceful, stable, democratic and prosperous Nepal’. -