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President Ram Chandra Paudel highlighted Nepal’s unwavering commitment to advancing social justice, inclusivity, and sustainable development in line with the Copenhagen Declaration and the Agenda 2030.

He was addressing the plenary meetings of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha today.

On the occasion, President Paudel called for effective implementation of the Doha Declaration, quality education, universal health coverage and empowerment of women and youth, reads a statement issued by the Nepali Embassy in Doha.

The President underscored that inclusivity and shared prosperity are the foundation of lasting peace, prosperity and human dignity, and urged for collective action to shape a future that ensures socio-economic development for all.

According to the statement, he stressed on the need for enhanced international cooperation, equitable access to resources, and effective implementation of international commitments to ensure just, inclusive and sustainable development.

President Paudel also participated in the High-level Roundtable-1 on the theme 'Strengthening the Three Pillars of Social Development: Poverty Eradication, Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work for All, and Social Inclusion'.

Speaking on the occasion, the President highlighted the importance of good governance through strengthened democratic and inclusive policies, accountable institutions and transparent public service delivery for sustainable and human-centered social development, the statement further reads.

On the sidelines of the Summit, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres paid a courtesy call on President Paudel.

During the meeting, they discussed matters related to strengthening cooperation between Nepal and the United Nations.

The President also attended the State Banquet hosted by the Amir of the State of Qatar in honor of the visiting Heads of State/Government.

 President Paudel is scheduled to return home on November 6.

Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has said he is ready to forgo his candidacy for any position if party leaders agree to hold the party’s general convention on schedule.

Speaking at the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting that resumed on Tuesday, Thapa proposed holding the party’s regular convention in December-January. He also stated that he would accept the condition barring both general secretaries from contesting in the same convention if that helps move the process forward.

“If you say the two general secretaries cannot contest this time and that helps us take the party toward the convention, we are ready for that,” Thapa told fellow leaders. “Let’s make that a commitment to untie the knot.”

Thapa proposed holding the 15th general convention from Dec 31 to Jan 3, stressing that if it cannot be organized by then, the only alternative would be a special convention. “If we cannot complete it in Poush under any circumstance, then there’s no other option but a special convention,” he said, noting that the party’s statute mandates it.

Thapa argued that the Nepali Congress should not head into elections without holding its convention, as it provides a platform to connect with the public and elect new leadership. “We must go to the people with renewed legitimacy. The general convention is our bridge to the voters,” he said.

Thapa also admitted that the party, which once led political movements, is now facing protests from within. “We are being cornered in the streets by our own people. If we fail to answer the questions of our cadres and supporters now, the voters will deliver their verdict during the elections,” he warned.

Thapa questioned whether the public and party committees were still waiting for the Congress to act. “Are people eagerly waiting to vote for us? Are our committees just sitting idle?” he asked, adding that voters would not wait indefinitely for Congress to resolve its internal disputes.

He dismissed claims that the recent GenZ movement was entirely sponsored, saying such interpretations were unfair.

Meanwhile, Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka said efforts were underway to resolve all differences through consensus. “We are trying to create an environment where all agendas can be concluded through agreement,” he said, adding that informal meetings would continue in that regard.

However, the party remains divided over whether to hold the convention before or after the upcoming elections. The establishment faction, represented by Joint General Secretary Mahendra Yadav, has proposed holding the regular convention between 8-11 May 2026, while Thapa’s camp is for holding the convention in December.

The CWC meeting, which had been repeatedly postponed over disputes regarding the convention date, resumed at the party’s central office in Sanepa on Tuesday.

Dissenting leaders have already submitted signatures from 54 percent of convention representatives demanding a special convention if a regular one is not held before the vote.

At a separate gathering in Thapagaun, dissident leader Jagadishwar Narsingh KC accused the party’s central office in Sanepa of becoming “powerless” and claimed the party was being directed from Singapore, where party president Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, are currently undergoing treatment. “The party is being run from Singapore. Sanepa is helpless,” KC said, alleging that Deuba would return before the elections to distribute tickets in his favor.

At a time when party split and unification bids are gaining pace among communist forces in the wake of Gen Z protest and election to the House of Representatives slated for March 5, Chairman of the CPN UML, KP Sharma Oli, and senior leader of the CPN (Unified Socialist), Jhalanath Khanal, held a meeting on Tuesday. 

A significant faction of the Unified Socialist led by Madhav Kumar Nepal has already decided its unification with the CPN (Maoist Center) led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal. 

The two leaders Oli and Khanal held the discussion on unity and entry to the UML, according to politburo member Mahesh Basnet. A positive talk was held between the leaders and it was expected to improve the relations.

It has been learnt that as many as 100 Unified Socialist leaders, including Ram Kumari Jhankri, Kisan Shrestha, Ambar Bahadur Thapa, Gambhir Lal Shrestha, Pitambar Timsina and Arjun Rai are returning to the UML.

The Unified Socialist is the splinter of the UML party.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid a courtesy call on President Ram Chandra Paudel, who is currently in Qatar's Capital, Doha, in the course of attending the 'Second World Summit for Social Development'.

On the occasion, the two leaders discussed the implementation of Copenhagen commitments, social development, peace, social justice and attainment of shared goals of Sustainable Development, informed President's press advisor Kiran Pokharel.

President Paudel noted that Nepal would closely work with the United Nations towards attaining shared goals of social development, peace, social justice and sustainable development besides the implementation of the Copenhagen commitments.

The Head of the State shared that general election was announced for March 5 after dissolution of the House of Representatives (HoR), and Nepal was effortful for conducting the election in a free and impartial manner.

He expressed the confidence that the upcoming election would give a political outlet to the country, and assure the pathway of good governance, development and prosperity.

The President also took the opportunity to call for support from the international community for adaptation and mitigation of adverse effects of climate change despite Nepal's negligible contributions to carbon emission.