Secretary-General Deeply Saddened by Death of Former Prime Minister of Nepal, Says Passing ‘Huge Loss’ for Country, Ongoing Peace Process

The following statement was issued on 20 March by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the passing early today of Girija Prasad Koirala, former Prime Minister of Nepal and President of the Nepali Congress party.

Mr. Koirala’s death is a huge loss for Nepal and its ongoing peace process.  As a friend of the United Nations and a staunch believer in its ideals and principles, Mr. Koirala will be remembered as a strong voice of multilateralism and global cooperation.

Mr. Koirala was a pioneer of Nepal’s labour and democratic movement of the twentieth century, who fought fearlessly and at considerable personal sacrifice for justice and democratic rights in his country.  His courageous and resolute leadership played a central role in the People’s Movement of 2005-2006 and to the ending of the 10-year armed conflict.

The Secretary-General will remain grateful for Mr. Koirala’s unwavering support to the United Nations for its role in the peace process as well as its development and human rights work in Nepal.  He extends his heartfelt condolences to Mr. Koirala’s family, the people and Government of Nepal and the Nepali Congress party.

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