Statement by Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Mr. K P Sharma Oli at the SCO Plus Summit in Tianjin, China

STATEMENT DELIVERED

by the Rt. Hon. Mr. K P Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal

at the 'Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus Summit

Tianjin, China, 1 September 2025

His Excellency Mr. Xi Jinping,

Chair of this Meeting and President of the People's Republic of China,

Your Excellencies,

the Heads of State and Government from SCO Member States,

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is my great honour to address the SCO Plus Meeting in Tianjin- a city that ever shines with beauty, culture and innovation.

Let me extend warm greetings and best wishes of Nepali people for the success of this Meeting as well as continued progress and prosperity of all SCO Member States.

My delegation joins me in expressing our sincere gratitude to the Government of China for the generous hospitality and excellent arrangements made for the meeting.

Excellencies,

We live in an age of extraordinary progress: in science, technology, and innovation.

Yet, this progress is overshadowed by deep fractures: widening inequalities, economic turbulence, climate emergencies, and conflicts that defy borders.

In such a world, no nation can stand secure in isolation. No people can prosper in fragmentation.

This is why multilateralism is an imperative of our time.

Yet we must face a harsh truth.

Rule based order has been challenged. Peace and justice remained elusive.

Thus, multilateralism is in crisis.

And this crisis is not only external.

It also stems from its failure to deliver.

Multilateral forums promise much.

Too often, they deliver little.

Promises without progress erode trust.

But abandoning multilaterism is not the answer.

We need a revitalised multilateralism now.

We must make the global governance system more effective and efficient by placing the United Nations at its core.

In this context, the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) proposed by China would help strengthen multilateral system by making it a more just, inclusive and equitable for a community with a shared future for humanity.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization will complement the spirit of revitalized multilateralism based on sovereign equality,

Further, there is an urgency for a revitalized SCO:

- More united,

- More integrated, and

- More resilient to tackle deepening geopolitical, economic, and ecological shocks that threaten our shared future.

Nepal, a proud Dialogue Partner since 2016, looks forward to getting admitted as a full member.

Excellencies,

We cannot speak of peace without addressing regional security.

Threats cross borders every day.

Terrorism robs societies of safety and opportunities.

Climate change multiplies risk.

Nepal, with the Himalaya in its heart, feels its wrath directly.

While our mountains serve as global climate stabilizers, they are being stripped of their snow reserve endangering the lives of billions living in the downstream.

Emerging threats such as cyber-attacks, pandemics, ecological shocks are not confined to borders.

With just five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we are clearly off-track.

Mr. Chair, Excellencies

In these turbulent times, regional cooperation is a tool to tackle shared challenges - economic, technological, ecological.

Nepal's commitment to regional cooperation is steadfast, and our relations with SCO members are strong.

Excellencies,

The path ahead requires three shifts.

First, from isolation to connectivity.

We must foster regional peace, progress and prosperity through enhanced physical, economic, digital, socio-cultural and people-to-people connectivity.

Second, from confrontations to consultations.

Disagreements are natural, but disputes need not to be destructive.

By embracing the Shanghai Spirit, we should step up dialogue and diplomacy to nurture deeper understanding.

Third, from competition to cooperation.

The world needs more partnership not partition. By working together, regionally and globally, we can build a just, inclusive, and resilient order and achive sustainable development.

Such "whole of the world" coordination will ensure that no nation is left behind.

Mr. Chair,

In conclusion, Nepal reaffirms its commitment to enhance regional cooperation within SCO.

We support a rules-based, inclusive multilateral system for a sustainable future.

Let us uphold the Shanghai Spirit.

Let us strengthen friendships, partnerships, and good neighbourly relations.

A resilient and prosperous SCO region is within our reach, when we are committed to act together.

Thank you!