KATHMANDU: Nepal has stressed the need for the international community to work together to prevent disruptions in global energy and supply chains.

Addressing a special meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) virtually on Friday, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal highlighted the issue.

According to Nepal’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, Minister Khanal spoke about the growing disruptions in global energy and supply systems and their impact on sustainable development.

He said the conflict in West Asia has also affected Nepal. “The West Asia conflict is directly impacting the lives of families of more than two million Nepalis working there through rising energy prices, declining remittances, and a slowdown in tourism,” Minister Khanal said.

He further stated that small and least-developed countries are bearing the heaviest burden of crises caused by conflicts, adding that it is the responsibility of the international community to support such nations and not leave them to face the challenges alone.