Preparations for Sagarmatha Dialogue in final phase

 Kathmandu, May 9

Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has informed that the Government of Nepal is in the final phase of preparations for the first edition of the Sagarmatha Dialogue, an international conference being organised by Nepal.

Chairing a meeting of the Sagarmatha Dialogue Management Committee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Friday, FM Dr. Rana stressed that the Ministry is working diligently to develop this initiative into a significant and impactful forum for Nepal.

Nepal is organising such an international forum for the first time and has already decided to host it annually as a permanent diplomatic platform.

The event, scheduled to take place in Kathmandu from May 16 to 18  will focus on climate change, the Himalayas, and the future of humanity. Dr. Rana described the Dialogue as a key platform to elevate Nepal’s presence on the global stage.

She highlighted that Nepal’s glaciers, vital sources of water and environmental stability, are melting at an alarming rate, and the country is bearing immense and disproportionate losses due to climate change. According to her, the Dialogue will serve to amplify Nepal’s long-standing call for climate justice on international platforms.

FM Dr. Rana emphasised that the Sagarmatha Dialogue is designed as a global platform to deliberate on critical regional and international issues related to climate change. The inaugural edition aims to bring together climate-affected communities, scientists, policymakers, mountaineers, world leaders, and international organisations for dialogue and commitment.

As chair of the event’s management committee, Dr. Rana noted that the government is working to ensure high-level international participation, and several dignitaries have already confirmed their attendance.

Recognising the event as a major opportunity for Nepal, she called on officials from all relevant ministries, the private sector, and Nepali missions abroad to contribute their utmost.

Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi shared that his ministry is in the final stages of preparation. Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai briefed the meeting on the progress of the event’s planning.

To date, high-level representatives from around two dozen countries and over 50 international organisations have confirmed their participation in the Sagarmatha Dialogue.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 10 May 2025. 

India-Nepal School Leaders’ Summit promotes collaboration in education

Kathmandu, May 9

Kathmandu hosted the first-ever India-Nepal School Leaders' Summit on Friday, bringing together school leaders from both countries to promote collaboration in education.

The summit was organised by the Indian Principals Network Foundation (IPN Foundation), with support from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University.

The summit, themed ‘School Education 5.0: Nurturing the Human and Tech Connect’, aimed at modernising traditional education by exploring new technologies, innovative teaching methods and cross-border cooperation.

Participants discussed ways to integrate technology into classrooms while maintaining a focus on human development, the organisers informed.

Key topics included in the summit were enhancing collaboration between Indian and Nepali schools, sharing knowledge and resources, and developing future-ready education systems, said Gaurav Yadav, founder of the IPN Foundation.

Discussions covered the role of technology in improving student learning, adapting teaching approaches for the 21^st century and creating sustainable models for long-term cooperation.

Delegates from both countries included senior educators and school leaders, representing various educational institutions. The event also provided a platform for dialogue among teachers, education experts and policymakers.

Dipti Acharya, Director of Sanskriti School in Kathmandu, said that the event has been established as a platform for future cooperation and collaboration between the educational institutions and professionals of both countries.

Likewise, Kumar Thapa, Principal of Brihaspati Bidya Sadan, said that the event was attended by the principals and education professionals of several schools in Nepal.

The organisers said that there are many things that Nepal and India should learn from each other. Indian educationists particularly appreciated Nepal’s school education for addressing the local and federal needs.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 10 May 2025. 

Huawei Nepal launches ' Seeds for Future 2025’ for students

Kathmandu, May 9

Huawei Nepal has officially opened applications for its global flagship CSR programme ‘Seeds for the Future 2025’ for Nepali students. The initiative, aimed at cultivating digital talent, is specifically targeted toward undergraduate students studying Information Technology in colleges and universities across Nepal.

Huawei Nepal announced that eligible and interested students can apply between May 8 to 25.

The programme marking the sixth edition is intended for undergraduate Bachelor students and designed for those interested in innovation, digitalisation, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange, the company informed in a statement on Friday.

The programme aims to produce skilled individuals who can contribute to society through innovation and entrepreneurship using advanced information technology. So far, 150 students from Nepal have participated in the initiative.

The company said that applicants will be selected through a multi-stage evaluation process by a panel of judges.

The top-performing students will then be given an opportunity to travel to China to attend advanced training sessions and participate in regional competitions. While in China, students will attend workshops focused on cutting-edge technological innovations and receive mentorship from Huawei experts and international professionals.

They will also have the chance to pitch their entrepreneurial ideas and network with digital talent from over 100 countries. The programme is designed to help students reach international standards, enhance their digital skills, build professional networks, and access global opportunities.

According to Huawei, students will also gain exposure to the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence, 5G, green tech, and other emerging digital technologies.

Launched in 2008 in Thailand, Seeds for the Future has benefited more than 19,000 students across 142 countries to date.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 10 May 2025. 

Nabil Bank extends ‘Free Credit Card’ scheme

Kathmandu, May 9

Nabil Bank has extended its ‘Nabil Lifetime Free Credit Card’ scheme until mid-July 2025 following overwhelming customer demand.

Initially launched at the start of the Nepali New Year 2082, the offer allows customers to obtain a credit card with no joining fee, no annual fee, and no subscription charges, the bank informed in a statement on Friday.

This extension aims to make credit cards more accessible and affordable to the public, reinforcing Nabil Bank’s commitment to inclusive banking. Customers can apply for the card online and have it delivered directly to their doorstep, eliminating the need for branch visits.

"Cardholders benefit from convenient features such as a 0 per cent interest ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ option on a wide range of products, along with attractive discounts at numerous partner outlets," read the statement.

The bank is offering its services from a nationwide network of 268 branches and 320 ATMs.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 10 May 2025. 

Nepal expresses concern about escalating India-Pakistan tension

Kathmandu, May 8

The government has expressed its deep concern regarding the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, following a barbaric terrorist attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam, India, on April 22 this year.

Tragically, a Nepali national lost his life in this appalling incident.

“During this sorrowful time, Nepal has stood shoulder to shoulder with India, united in their shared grief and suffering,” read a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Thursday.

Nepal swiftly and unequivocally condemned this act of terror, consistent with its firm stance against all forms of terrorism.

The government has affirmed its commitment to the global fight against terrorism and reiterated that it will not permit any hostile elements to utilise its territory against its neighbouring countries.

Nepal also has expressed its hope for a de-escalation of the current tensions and has underlined its dedication to achieving lasting peace and stability within the region.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 9 May 2025. 

INGOs need consent of local authority to run projects

Kathmandu, May 8

The recently-launched Foreign Aid Mobilisation Policy, 2025 of Nepal aims to bring greater accountability and transparency to the utilisation of foreign aid channelled through Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

A key aspect of the strategy focuses on ensuring that foreign aid mobilised by the International NGOs supports areas identified as crucial for the nation's development.

Internalising the new federal structure of the country, it mandates that INGOs must secure prior agreement from the local authorities where they intend to implement projects. Details of this assistance will be recorded in the Ministry's aid management information system, enhancing oversight.

Likewise, in a move towards more inclusive planning, the policy states that the selection of projects by INGOs must involve the participation of the federal, provincial, and local levels of government in the project formulation stage. Crucially, NGOs, both national and international, must implement projects in the specific local authority from which they obtained prior consent for their international fundraising initiatives.

The policy that replaced the earlier Development Cooperation Policy, 2019 emphasises aligning international assistance with Nepal's national needs and priorities.

Furthermore, the policy stipulates that both national and international NGOs seeking to implement projects funded through their international fundraising efforts must now do so via the Social Welfare Council (SWC).

Where INGOs partner with local NGOs for project implementation, they will be required to submit details of these agreements to the SWC. The Council will then facilitate the implementation process based on the information provided.

The policy also addresses the broader coordination of foreign aid, aiming for the efficient utilisation of resources through strengthened ownership and coordination across different levels and bodies.

It bars the mobilisation of foreign aid through the NGOs  in the religious, political and sensitive national areas. To check the duplication of the programmes and projects, the government can designate the geographical or thematic areas.

Likewise, the foreign aid operated programmes should not have administrative cost exceeding 20 per cent of the total budget. 

 

Sub-national participation

The policy has also adopted a policy to enhance the ownership of the sub-national governments in the foreign aid and ensure its efficient use.

Regarding grant aid, loan assistance under the Government of Nepal's responsibility, and technical assistance, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) will enter into financial agreements and then forward these to the provincial and local levels for implementation.

Loan agreements initiated at the request of provincial and local authorities will involve the Nepal government signing subsidiary loan agreements with the relevant levels, allocating funds through the budget, and potentially managing principal and interest payments via an escrow account.

Except loans in the education and health sectors, the policy outlines that loan assistance for other projects and programmes will be channelled through subsidiary loan agreements with the relevant provincial and local levels, based on feasibility.

Grant aid disbursed through the budget system will be allocated to provinces and local authorities as conditional grants.

 

Co-investment of local authority

The policy further clarifies that the respective local authorities will bear the costs for co-investment required for development projects and programmes operating at the federal, provincial, and local levels.

Importantly, the relevant levels of government will be represented in discussions and agreements with development partners aimed at securing financial resources for projects they have recommended.

To enhance inter-agency coordination, the policy mandates the active participation of relevant local authorities, provinces, and federal ministries/bodies in the mobilisation of foreign aid.

Any challenges encountered in the process will be addressed through joint meetings led by the MoF, involving the concerned local authorities, provinces, federal ministries/bodies, and development partners, with an emphasis on finding swift resolutions, according to the policy. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 9 May 2025. 

FEBI mission takes stock of investment opportunities in Nepal

Kathmandu, May 8

A commercial mission of the Federation of European Businesses in India (FEBI) has completed its two-day visit of Nepal.

This visit offered European businesses an opportunity to understand the business and investment potential in Nepal, the European Union Delegation in Nepal informed in a statement on Thursday. The delegation hosted the mission from 6 to 7 May.

The mission focused on providing European businesses with an in-depth understanding of Nepal’s evolving business environment, policy reforms, and emerging investment opportunities.

The mission met with Minister for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, Badri Pandey, the Chief Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister, Dr. Youbaraj Khatiwada, of Nepal, and CEO of the Investment Board of Nepal, Sushil Gyewali.

On the occasion, EU Ambassador to Nepal, Veronique Lorenzo, praised Nepal’s recent efforts to attract foreign investment despite existing challenges. "She highlighted the EU’s shift towards investments, supporting Nepal’s promising sectors, aligning with national priorities, and emphasized the importance of stronger EU-Nepal business collaboration to unlock investment opportunities," read the statement.

During the engagements, Nepali stakeholders delivered a briefing on the latest reforms, investment priorities, and future policy outlook while urging the European businesses to harness the trade and investment opportunities in Nepal.

The FEBI and the European Economic Chamber Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), laying the groundwork for deeper institutional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and business facilitation between European investors and Nepali enterprises.

Likewise, the delegation also held targeted consultations with honorary consuls, investment bankers and business leaders representing the energy, aviation, and IT sectors to explore business-to-business opportunities and consolidate business relations.

The FEBI mission prepares for this year's main event of the EU Nepal Business Forum 2025, to take place in November 2025.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 9 May 2025.