FM Khanal to leave for Antalya today

Kathmandu, Nov. 6

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal is leaving for Antalya, Türkiye on Saturday leading a Nepali delegation to the 31^st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The conference is scheduled to be held from 9 to 20 November. FM Khanal will address the Opening Plenary of the COP31 on November 9.

Likewise, he will also participate in the Leader’s Summit on 11-12 November, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) informed in a statement on Friday.

In addition, the Foreign Minister will participate in various high-level events including ‘Advancing the Mountain Agenda: Glaciers, Cryosphere and Resilience under Overshoot, Shared Responsibility and Sustainable Financing’, jointly hosted by Nepal, Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Bhutan and Pakistan.

He will also participate in other side events and hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts and other dignitaries.

The Nepali delegation comprises of Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment Gita Chaudhary, Member of the National Planning Commission Prof. Dr. Sanjaya Acharya, Secretary of the Agriculture, Forest and Environment Ministry Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra and other senior officials of the Government of Nepal.

FM Khanal will return to Kathmandu on November 14.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 7 November 2026.   

Public administration must act as enabler of progress: FM Khanal

Kathmandu, Nov. 6

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said that public administration must be equipped to govern effectively amid a changing global environment and growing challenges.

Addressing the International Conference on Public Administration and Governance in South Asia in Lalitpur on Friday, he said public administration must learn to govern amid uncertainty as artificial intelligence (AI), climate change and geopolitical tensions rapidly reshape the global order.

“Public administration, which was built for stability, must now learn to govern amid uncertainty,” he said.

FM Khanal stressed that public administration should not be confined to safeguarding rules but should be developed as an enabler of progress that brings positive changes to people's lives. He said public servants should act as facilitators of progress.

Noting that laws and policy frameworks were necessary for good governance but were not sufficient on their own, he said the character, integrity and accountability of those holding public office were equally important.

The foreign minister also outlined five priorities for reforming public administration - strengthening democratic legitimacy and public trust, placing ethics and sensitivity at the centre of public service, building institutions capable of innovation and adaptation, promoting inclusion through meaningful participation, and enhancing state capacity to respond to an uncertain global environment.

Likewise, FM Khanal said digital transformation could make public service delivery simpler, more transparent and more effective. He noted that Nepal was working to integrate government services through the Nagarik App. He also said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was promoting the ‘MOFA Mitra’ app to make consular information and services more readily accessible to millions of Nepalis living abroad.

Highlighting the need for South Asian countries to exchange experiences, research and knowledge on public administration, he said efforts should be made to explore the possibility of establishing a network to promote cooperation and the exchange of experiences among civil service training institutions in the region.

The three-day conference, jointly organised by the Nepal Administrative Staff College (NASC), the Public Administration Association of Nepal (PAAN) and the South Asian Network for Public Administration (SANPA), concluded on Friday.

It was attended more than 300 delegates and researchers from around 15 countries participated and contributed to the academic discussions.

"Over the three days, the conference featured around 145 research contributions, 33 parallel technical sessions and four thematic panels, covering contemporary issues in public administration, public policy and governance," the organisers informed in a statement.

The conference sought to encourage critical reflection on contemporary governance challenges, participatory learning and collective policy analysis, while strengthening the link between research and public policy practice.

The conference identified climate change, digital transformation, migration, social security and growing inequality as shared challenges facing South Asian countries. It also highlighted the need to expand regional cooperation, comparative studies and the exchange of experiences to address these issues.

The conference was the third international event in the SANPA conference series. The first was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2024, while the second took place in Lahore, Pakistan, in 2025.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 7 November 2026.  

CSRI Nepal announces AI research grant

Kathmandu, Nov. 6

The Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation Nepal (CSRI Nepal), an artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber security research organisation, has announced the ‘Global AI Research Grant 2026’, targeting the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector.

The research grant programme has been introduced to address and mitigate emerging cyber risks, complex data privacy challenges and regulatory compliance requirements arising from the rapid adoption of AI in the financial sector, CSRI said in a statement.

The grant primarily aims to strengthen the financial sector through advanced AI security frameworks, build a sustainable research and development (R&D) ecosystem in Nepal, and minimise financial risks through collaboration with international experts.

CSRI Nepal Chairman Dr Shaligram Parajuli said the research grant prioritised four key areas of the financial sector. According to him, advanced AI models will be developed to mitigate financial risks by tackling digital fraud, preventing the theft of customers’ digital identities and ensuring the security of automated financial transactions.

According to Dr Parajuli, the programme would also promote advanced AI technologies such as federated learning to protect customer privacy in line with Nepal’s existing regulatory framework.

"Other priorities include providing practical opportunities for young Nepali data scientists, researchers and cyber security experts through research to develop skilled domestic human resources, and offering research-based recommendations to regulatory bodies such as Nepal Rastra Bank to support evidence-based policymaking," said CSRI's founding chairman Chiranjibi Adhikari.

The organisation has outlined four major research areas under the grant, along with their expected outcomes. Under ‘AI Threat Intelligence’, the programme will develop automated threat detection systems for banks by monitoring AI-based cyber threats in real time.

The ‘Data Governance’ component will develop secure and privacy-friendly financial data processing frameworks aligned with national and international standards.

Likewise, the ‘Financial Fraud Prevention’ feature aims to predict suspicious transactions, prevent potential financial losses and strengthen customer confidence, while ‘Ethical AI’ will seek to make AI systems used in credit assessments and banking services more transparent, fair and accountable. 

Published in The Rising Nepal on 7 November 2026.  

Nepal's international image is strategic asset, says FM Khanal

Kathmandu, Nov. 5

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has said the government is committed to further establishing Nepal's distinctive national identity, cultural diversity, natural heritage and contemporary achievements on the global stage.

Addressing a programme organised by the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) in Kathmandu on Thursday, he described Nepal's international image and reputation as important strategic assets for the country's development aspirations and foreign policy.

He highlighted the cultural and economic potential of Nepal's traditional handicrafts, agricultural practices, indigenous medicinal knowledge, regional cuisines and artistic expressions, and said intellectual property rights protection, geographical indications (GIs), certification systems and quality standards were essential to strengthening the international recognition and competitiveness of such products.

He also stressed the importance of ensuring that value addition to these products translated into fair benefits for producers and local communities.

"We should aim to establish 'Made in Nepal' as a trusted brand in the global market, based on originality, quality and responsible production," he said.

According to him, public diplomacy is an important means of presenting Nepal's international achievements and contributions more effectively to the world. The country's contemporary identity should be showcased through its participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, successful community forestry practices, creative industries, the capabilities of Nepali youth in the digital sector and traditions of cultural coexistence.

FM Khanal said public diplomacy helped communicate Nepal's capabilities and achievements directly to the international community, institutions and organisations.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 6 November 2026. 

Nepal Infrastructure Summit slated for next month

Kathmandu, Nov. 5

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) are organising Nepal Infrastructure Summit on December 9-10 this year as a public-private partnership initiative to attract domestic and foreign investment in infrastructure projects.

At the summit, the government will inform domestic and foreign investors about the legal and other reforms introduced to create a favourable investment environment in Nepal. It will particularly seek to encourage domestic investors to invest in infrastructure development, said Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle at a press meet organised in Kathmandu on Thursday.

The summit will also showcase bankable infrastructure projects, with preparations underway to sign investment agreements for some of them.

"We want to own the summit and walk together with the private sector. A total of 69 acts and 500 articles are being amended. It's an omnibus act for the legal reforms in the country," he said.

The latest edition of the summit, which has been organised by the CNI since 2014, will be jointly organised by the MoID, CNI and the Federation of Contractors' Associations of Nepal. The Investment Board Nepal, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Nepal Chamber of Commerce and the Nepalese Young Entrepreneurs' Forum will serve as co-organisers.

Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal said that several laws are in the phase of amendment, and drafts of 69 legal reforms are ready.

"We are not holding the summit to just make announcement about the commitment of the Foreign Direct investment," he said. "We are showcasing legal reforms and creation. We want to send a message that Nepal is favourable to all kinds of investments and has environment for the protection of the investors and investment."

The summit will feature presentations and discussions on three major areas of legal and policy reforms related to investment and infrastructure development.

These include legal reforms through 69 bills and the modernisation of the legal framework for investment and development, the National Infrastructure Framework, covering the existing situation, has proposed plans and a 10-year vision, and the development of effective implementation mechanisms to address challenges currently faced by investors and those that may arise in the future.

Informing about the summit, CNI President Birendra Raj Pandey said that the summit aims to contribute to the country's overall economic development and prosperity through the development of strong, sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

During the two-day summit, around three dozen identified bankable infrastructure projects will be presented to potential investors. Discussions with domestic investors on the projects are also being held. So far, 23 projects have been identified, while additional projects will be identified and selected during preparations for the summit, said Pandey.

The summit will feature in-depth discussions among domestic investors, as well as national and international experts, across 12 thematic areas, including infrastructure, energy, urban development and regional transport. Prime Minister Balendra Shah will inaugurate the summit.

Speaking on the occasion, President of the FCAN Nicholas Pandey said that in order to achieve the target of US$ 100 billion economy by 2035, travel from Mechi to Mahakali should be reduced to 12 hours.

Presenting 3-6-9-12 formula, he said, "Travel from Kathmandu to Chitwan and Pokhara should be completed in three hours, Kathmandu to Kakarbhitta in six hours, Mahendranagar in nine hours and east to west in 12 hours."

President of the FNCCI Anjan Shrestha said that transportation infrastructure is the base for social and economic development. "We need to develop workable and sellable projects to offer them to foreign investors. The government should promote and motivate the domestic investors while beginning the journey to development and prosperity," he said.

According to Shrestha, large foreign contractors developing projects in Nepal should include Nepali companies as joint ventures.

Similarly, Advisor of Prime Minister Balendra Shah Asim Shah expressed commitment from the government and Prime Minister that all facilitation would be extended to the private sector when needed and demanded.

The government has spearheaded to implement development to set course to prosperity, he said.

Minister for Law Sobita Gautam said that the government has been working to create an investment-friendly environment by introducing new legislation and amending existing laws to support infrastructure development and the broader economy.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 6 November 2026. 

Misri updates PM Shah on his upcoming India visit

Kathmandu, Nov. 5

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri conveyed a message to Prime Minister Balendra Shah from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that preparations for his upcoming visit to India had been expedited.

India is making the necessary arrangements to ensure the success of the Nepali prime minister's visit, he said during a courtesy call on PM Shah at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) at the Singha Durbar on Thursday.

According to the sources at the MoFA, PM Shah is likely to embark on his maiden official India visit by the end of this month. Agenda of his visit include trade, transit, energy, connectivity, water resources, sports, and post-flood reconstruction.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Shah expressed gratitude to the Indian government for providing relief supplies and deploying rescue teams as a first responder following the devastating Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi flood that recently hit Nepal, informed PM Shah's secretariat in a statement.

The prime minister also expressed interest in exploring ways to cooperate with India in developing Nepal's sports sector.

Misri also informed Shah meetings of bilateral mechanisms between Nepal and India on energy, water resources, trade and transit, and aviation had been successfully concluded.

He further informed the prime minister that the necessary preparations had been completed to operate a railway service between Ayodhya in India and Janakpur in Nepal. A trial run on the route was also conducted on Thursday, he said.

Misri was on a two-day visit of Nepal at the invitation of Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahdaur Rai. He concluded his visit on Thursday.

Earlier on Wednesday, he called on Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha and Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal. 

On the same day, the two foreign secretaries held delegation-level talks to review on-going cooperation across diverse sectors and discussed ways to further strengthen the mutually beneficial partnership between Nepal and India, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) informed in a joint statement issued by the delegation of the two countries.

The delegation-level also discussed expanding and strengthening connectivity through infrastructure, including air, rail and road networks, as well as bridges, promoting and facilitating bilateral trade, and making development cooperation more effective.

Foreign Secretary Misri also interacted with a group of parliamentarians, including members of the Nepal-India Parliamentary Friendship Group and Nepal’s Parliamentary Committee on International Relations and Tourism. 

"During the meetings, both sides noted with satisfaction the growing engagement in recent times in traditionally strong areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade and commerce, development partnership, hydropower, physical connectivity, border management, energy, and people-to-people ties as well as newer avenues for collaboration including start-ups, digital connectivity, AI and sports," read the statement of the MoFA. 

Published in The Rising Nepal on 6 November 2026. 

FM Khanal for strengthening people-to-people relations with Japan

 Kathmandu, Nov. 5

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has said that education, technology, innovation and people-to-people relations have further strengthened the friendship between Nepal and Japan.

"Relationships established through education and academic exchanges could become the strongest and most enduring bonds between nations," he said at the inaugural session of the 'SAFJA Symposium 2026', organised by the South Asia Federation of Japanese University Alumni Associations (SAFJUA).

Referring to the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan, he said the friendship between the two countries predated their formal diplomatic ties by many years.

FM Khanal recalled that Japanese Buddhist monk Ekai Kawaguchi visited Nepal in 1899 in search of Buddhist scriptures, while eight Nepali students travelled to Japan for higher education in the early 1900s.

"These early contacts laid the foundation for relations between the people of the two countries, which eventually took the form of formal diplomatic relations in 1956," he said.

According to FM Khanal, Japan has remained a trusted development partner of Nepal over the past seven decades. He appreciated Japan's contributions to infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, disaster resilience and human resource development.

The foreign minister also noted that more than 300,000 Nepalis currently lived in Japan and that Nepali students constituted the second-largest group of international students studying there last year. He said this had further strengthened and enlivened educational, cultural, economic and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Likewise, FM Khanal said the emergency relief supplies provided by Japan during the disaster, along with its forensic expertise and assistance in DNA identification, reflected the deep friendship and solidarity between the two countries.

Describing education as an important pillar of Nepal-Japan relations, Khanal said thousands of Nepali students, researchers and professionals who had studied in Japan had returned home and were contributing to Nepal's institutional development, industries and communities.

"Education and human resource development, science and technology, innovation, and climate change and disaster resilience should be prioritised to promote cooperation between Nepal, Japan and South Asian countries," he said.

Emphasising the need to expand joint research, faculty exchanges, professional mentorship and industry collaboration among academic institutions and research centres, he said, "The two countries could also explore cooperation in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy and modern engineering."

Published in The Rising Nepal on 6 November 2026.