By a Staff Reporter,

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha Friday said that the provisions in SAARC Charter have posed practical difficulties in raising regional and Bilateral issues because such issues must get approval from all member natins.

Addressing People's SAARC National Consultation Meeting organized by NGO Federation of Nepal on the occasion of the upcoming 17 " SAARC Summit, DPM Shrestha voiced his concern over the difficulties in raising different issues at the regional summit meeting of the eight nations. "As the South Asian nations have diverse socio-economic, geographical and demographic status, the issues are needed to be raised at the regional level in a consolidated way."

A week long programme to celebrate the World Food Day and International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was concluded on 22nd October 2011. A morning rally was organized by South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE) members and National Network on Right to Food, Nepal (RtFN) on 22nd October as concluding event.

The rally passed through Bagbazar, Putalisadak, Exhibition Road, Shahid Gate and converged into a mass meeting at Shantibatika, Ratnapark chanting various slogans on right to food, food security and food sovereignty. More than 500 people from peasant movement, women movement, civil society organisations, NGOs and INGOs participated in the rally.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty Observed

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty observed on 17 October  in Kathmandu by
SAAPE member organisations, civil society organisations by showing solidarity towards the 'Occupy Wall Street' movement. On the occasion, a mass meeting was organised in Maitighar, Kathmandu, where people extended their solidarity against the structural causes of poverty and hunger.

Prof. Mathura Shrestha, a senior human rights defender described poverty as a serious violation of human rights.