Govt to use soft power to push economic agenda

Kathmandu, Feb. 18: Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has said that the government would continue to harness the existing soft power and build on its strength for the long-term benefit of the country and people.

"The enormous international goodwill towards Nepal and Nepali people, ever expanding Nepali diaspora, our culture, civilisational heritage make our soft power and we will use it in the national interest," he remarked on Monday at the 71^st Anniversary Programme of Nepal Council of World Affairs (NCWA).

He emphasized that the mainstay of today's diplomacy is the pursuit of economic agenda and Nepal would strive to promote its vital economic interests through activities aimed at attracting more foreign investment in priority sector, expanding export trade and promoting tourism.

We will strive to widen the avenues of cooperation with our neighbours in conformity with our national interests and priorities, he said.

According to FM Gyawali, building on the hard-earned political stability, Nepal at present strives to achieve economic development and prosperity. The present Government is committed to bring economic transformation of the country and improve quality of life of the people.

Deliberating on the international conventions, he pointed towards the need of amending multilateral rules to support the 2030 agenda.

"We understand the multilateral rules and architecture are not perfect and they must be made fit-for-purpose to deliver on the global agenda including the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, we stand for timely and comprehensive reform of the United Nations for global peace, accountability and effective service delivery in view of the burgeoning global problems and dwindling resources," he said.

Likewise, he stressed on the implementation of the Paris Accord on Climate Change.

"Nepal firmly stands for the implementation of Paris Accord on Climate Change. Climate vulnerabilities of the countries like ours is real and we call for international community's substantial support in terms of climate finance and technology for adaption and mitigation," he said.

Similarly, Minister Gyawali said that the safety, security and wellbeing of Nepali migrant workers was a vital area for the government, and it was working with the countries of origin and destination through bilateral and multilateral processes.

President of the NCWA HemantaKharel said that Nepal should give utmost priority to the economic diplomacy so that it could enhance its international trade and attract more foreign investment and tourists.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 February 2019.