S/PV.5825 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them document S/2008/34, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Members of the Council also have before them document S/2008/5, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the request of Nepal for United Nations assistance in support of its peace process. I would like to draw the attention of the members of the Council to copies of a letter dated 27 December 2007 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. Unless I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now. There being no objection, it is so decided.

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 1796 (2008). I now give the floor to the representative of Nepal.

I am taking the floor to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to you, Mr. President, and all the other members of the Council for your constructive support in the process of adopting this resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN). I also take this opportunity to especially thank the British delegation for taking pains in drafting and arriving at a consensus on the resolution. I also take this opportunity to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on the subject (S/2008/5), reflecting the developments on the ground and developments in the peace process in Nepal. I also want to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ian Martin, for all the work he has done during the process and to the team of officials of the Secretariat who have been helping with the process. With the adoption of this resolution, I am confident that during the next six months Nepal will be able to achieve progress in the peace process, including the holding of Constituent Assembly election in April 2008. I want to assure you, Sir, and the other members of the Council that Nepal will fully cooperate with the Special Representative and UNMIN in implementing the mandate that has been adopted.

There are no further speakers on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.