'Smaller countries fear becoming collateral damage in competition between great powers,' says UN chief
UN chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said as geopolitical tensions rise, global divisions are becoming deeper and more dangerous, and smaller countries fear becoming collateral damage in competition between great powers. Guterres made these remarks during his address to Nepal's parliament.
The United Nations Secretary-General also spoke on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, acknowledging that despite being thousands of miles away, Nepali citizens were among the victims of Hamas' brutal attacks in Israel.
He extended his condolences to the families of the 10 Nepalese students who lost their lives during an attack by Hamas militants in Israel and expressed his best wishes for the safe return of Bipin Joshi, a student who is currently missing.
«As geopolitical tensions rise, global divisions are becoming deeper and more dangerous. Smaller countries fear becoming collateral damage in competition between great powers,» Guterres said.
Lauding Nepal's peace process, the General Secretary said, «Your country has successfully calmed the storms of conflict and moved from war to peace. A process the United Nations has been proud to support».
«This small country has made an outsized contribution to international peace...you are preparing the final stages of your peace process — healing the wounds of war through transitional justice.
