In another interesting move, Nepal’s Federal Parliament turned down the UNDP’s USD 5.9 million worth ‘Parliamentary Support Project’

The five-year project was signed between Manohar Bhattarai from the Parliament Secretariat and Renaud Meyer representative of UNDP on April 23, 2018.

UNDP has been providing logistic support and capacity enhancement since 2008 through this project, says a Parliament Secretariat official.

This move comes as a measure to protect Nepal laws that do not favor foreign aid in national business.

In a meeting, House of Representatives Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara told the Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli that foreign aid was not a Parliament issue, rather a government-related subject.

“The government should deal with issues related to foreign aid.

It does not fall under our jurisdiction,” says Mahara.

In the course of their meeting, Mahara advised that the project amount be diverted to the construction of a permanent Parliament building instead of investing on logistic support for lawmakers and secretariats of the National Assembly along with seven provincial assemblies and the Parliament.

The main aim of this project is to support the formulation of practices and procedures within the Federal Parliament and Nepal’s provincial assemblies, which reflect international best practices in terms of transparency, inclusivity, accountability and effectiveness.

“By working to establish a more accountable, transparent, inclusive and effective parliamentary system, it is possible to address a critical aspect of the domestic systems that are required to ensure full development of Nepal,” reads the agreement.

As a secondary benefit, this project will also build close relationships between the constitutionally-mandated democratic institutions in Nepal, and each province and will assess how the former will be used to aid the UN and other development co-assistants in doing their work on behalf of Nepali citizens.

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The President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari, Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, officials of the National Planning Commission of Nepal and other key officials from NRNA and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry inaugurated the event on October 14, 2017.

The four-day event, being held from October 14-17, 2017, has brought together 70,000 Nepalis living in 77 countries and is witnessing a participation of more than 2,000 delegates.

The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is the Promotional Partner for the event that is being supported by various other stakeholders and associations.

Event Date and Time:
Date: October 14-17, 2017; Time: 10 AM – 6 PM

Location:
Kathmandu, Nepal

Contact Info:
NRNA Global
Shahid Shukra FNCCI Milan Marg Teku, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: (+977-1) 4215247, 4262255
Email: info@nrna.org

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The President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari called on the Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) community to invest and play a key role in the country’s overall development.

“Following the promulgation of the constitution, Nepal is entering a phase of economic development and Non-Resident Nepal Association (NRNA) should be a part of it. There is favorable atmosphere for investment in tourism, hydropower, education, health and infrastructure in Nepal,” said the President on October 14, 2017.

Bhandari stated this in her inaugural address at the ‘8^th NRN Global Conference and NRNA International Assembly, currently being held in Kathmandu.

Highlighting Nepal’s potential in education, hydropower, tourism and manufacturing, among other sectors, the President said, “This is the appropriate time for NRNs to make contribution by bringing in investment, skill and technology.”

The President also appreciated the non-resident Nepali community’s contribution to relief, rescue and reconstruction measures post the 2015 earthquake, landslides and recent floods in August 2017 that hit the country very badly.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara called on the community to play a key role in exploring and expanding markets for trade abroad.

“The knowledge, skills and capital gained abroad should serve as the catalyst for Nepal’s development,” said Mahara.

The event, being held from October 14-17, 2017, has brought together 70,000 Nepalis living in 77 countries and is witnessing a participation of more than 2,000 delegates.

The new NRNA leadership for the upcoming two-year period will also be announced at this four-day event.

Right Time for Investment

In her address, Bhawani Rana, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) also termed this as the right time for investment in Nepal.

Citing key happenings such as local elections, amendments to key provisions such as company and labor acts Rana said, “These developments have reduced the cost of doing business in the country. This is the right time for the investment.”

“Investing for the prosperity of Nepal by utilizing the hard-earned capital and skills abroad was one of the prime objectives of NRNA,” Shesh Ghale, NRNA President said in his address.

Pitch for Rise in NRN’s Investment

Addressing a plenary meeting titled ‘Nepal Vision 2030 and NRNA’s Role’, post the inaugural session, Swarnim Wagle, Vice-Chairman of National Planning Commission of Nepal sought a phenomenal rise in NRN’s investment above the existing level.

A 2015 survey, commissioned by NRNA and undertaken by the Society of Economic Journalists-Nepal (SEJON), puts NRNs’ investment in Nepal at Rs 29.85 billion across the country’s nine districts and also highlights their 67 business ventures that generated employment to 8,276 Nepali citizens.

The survey reports around three-fifth of NRNs’ investment in Nepal in the services sector alone. However, the NRNA President Ghale says the actual investment would be higher than the surveyed figure and is spread across the 75 districts of the country.

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As part of his visit to UN General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York, Prime Minister Deuba held separate bilateral discussions with his counterparts from various countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on Thursday.

According to the Nepali Permanent Mission in New York, matters related to common bilateral and international interests were discussed in Deuba’s discussions with the government representatives of various countries.

In a meeting with Deuba, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed emphasized the need for enhancement of transport connectivity and utilization of the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) framework. Both the sides also discussed energy cooperation through joint investment in Nepali hydropower sector.

Deuba’s discussions with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation through historic and religious linkages.

Recalling 60 years of Nepal-Sri Lanka bilateral ties, Deuba and Sirisena discussed cooperation in trade, tourism and economic sectors.

Calling for the early holding of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit, Nepal called for deeper cooperation among SAARC members.

Nepal’s Foreign Policy Dictated by Regional Realties, says Deuba

Post the UNGA session, Nepali Prime Minister participated in a student session at the Columbia University, New York, wherein, he responded on various key issues.

In his response to queries on geopolitical relations of Nepal, Deuba said that Nepal’s geopolitical relations are being dictated by the regional realities.

He also reiterated that ties with India and China are of national interest to Nepal.

On the issue of Rohingya refugees in Nepal, Deuba said, “We cannot afford more refugees in Nepal unfortunately. We are still facing refugee problems because Bhutanese refuges are there. There are a few Rohingya in Nepal. We can’t welcome more. We have limitations. I think the Myanmar Government can deal with this problem.”

With regard to forming of the largest-ever cabinet, Deuba hinted at the chances of further cabinet expansion.

Informing that the Nepali Constitution allows up to 10 percent of the total number of parliamentarians in the cabinet, he said the parliament currently has 595 lawmakers and the cabinet size can go up to 60 as per the existing law.

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Nepal has raised its key concerns at the 72^nd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) currently being held in New York.

“As we embark upon a path of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, challenges are the litmus tests for our leadership,” said Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in his address at the 72^nd annual General Debate session held at UNGA.

Addressing sessions held on the sidelines of UNGA, Deuba raised various key issues related to human rights, UNRC membership, migrants, cooperation at times of natural disaster, among others pertaining to the development of Nepal.

“Global community faces a more complex and polarized environment with multiple transnational challenges ranging from terrorism, climate change, energy deficiency, food insecurity, and mass migration to extremism. Unfortunately, our efforts have been too little, and often too late. All these challenges reinforce the role and responsibility of the United Nations,” said PM Deuba.

Nepal’s Candidature for UNHRC

Candidature in the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) has been a matter of concern for Nepal. Finally, on the occasion of UNGA, PM Deuba presented Nepal’s candidature to UNHRC for the 2018-2020 term.

In this regard, he said, “Nepal’s first-ever election to the Council would be a recognition to the country’s long commitment and contribution in the field of human rights and an encouragement to do more at national as well as global levels”.

He also pitched in on the need for improvement of human rights situation in Nepal by strengthening National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and protecting the rights of women and other disadvantaged sections of the Nepali society.

The Nepali Prime Minister also pitched in for a ‘zero case scenario’ in case of attacks on civilians, abuse, sexual exploitation and also urged for greater security in case of migrants.

A Special Request Under Peacekeeping Operations

With regard to UN peacekeeping operations, Nepali PM urged UN to ensure fair opportunity to the countries contributing troop and security personnel by placing them at leadership positions, both on-field and at headquarters.

Pitching in for Nepali participation in higher ranks of UN peacekeeping operations, Deuba made an official request to increase the number of Nepali Army deployed in UN missions for which, UN General Secretary responded positively saying that would be taken on utmost priority.

The Permanent Mission of Nepal to UN in New York expressed hope that the request would be addressed soon.

Deuba also urged UN to utilize Nepal’s Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre, the oldest in the region, and also contribute for its development as a regional center of excellence for peacekeeping training.

Nepali Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara reiterated Nepal’s commitment to peacekeeping operations.

Currently, there are more than 5,000 Nepali security personnel deployed in various UN missions globally and Nepal is the largest troop and police contributing country.

Call for Ban on Destructive Weapons

“Nepal welcomes the confidence-building measures on conventional weapons, ending nearly two decades of stalemate in the UN Disarmament Commission. Nepal has signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as a step towards nuclear disarmament” said Deuba calling for complete disarmament.

He further said that Nepal, as the host to the Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament for Asia-Pacific, would call for reactivation of the regional disarmament deliberations under the Kathmandu Process. 

“Nepal condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and anywhere in the world. The world must come together to address not just its symptoms but the root causes. Early conclusion of the anti-terrorism global convention is the call of our time,” Deuba added.

Migration, Need of the Hour

Stating that there is an urgent need for addressing migration-related issues, the Nepali Prime Minister said Nepal is eagerly waiting for a successful outcome of the 2018 Global Compact on Migration.

“Nepal calls for concerted efforts at the national, regional and international levels to ensure that the migration process creates a fair and win-win situation to all. We call for safety, security, dignity and well-being of all migrant workers,” said Deuba.

LLDCs and LDCs Not Getting Benefitted

“Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) have not been developing from the process of globalization,” said Deuba speaking at the UNGA session.

In this regard, he called on UN to ensure that these two groups of countries have partnerships and technology transfer and reliable and sustainable financing to overcome structural impediments.

He further said the South-South cooperation in terms of trade, investment and technology should be fully exploited.

“LDCs are the most vulnerable group of countries. They cannot be perennially equated with dehumanizing conditions of poverty and under development. They must be enabled to smoothly and sustainably graduate at an early date,” he added.

Speaking on bilateral relations with other countries, Deuba said, “Nepal believes in non-alignment. In exercise of our independent foreign policy, we judge every issue on its merit without fear or favor. We consider regional cooperation an important means for building trust and confidence among nations and making the best use of complementarities for shared prosperity.”

Permanent Representative of Nepal to UN Durga Prasad Bhattarai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister Dinesh Bhattarai and Foreign Affairs Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and were among other key Nepali officials who took part in UNGA sessions.

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As part of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Government of Nepal signed the Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty in New York yesterday.

Deputy Prime Minister (PM) and Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is in New York for 72nd UNGA session, signed the treaty on behalf of the Nepali Government.

Stating that “it is a good step towards nuclear disarmament”, Nepali Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Bharat Raj Paudyal informed that Nepal’s stand on the disarmament of weapons causing mass destruction (including nuclear weapons) remains consistent and principled.

Apart from signing the treaty, Mahara attended the opening of General Debate of 72^nd UNGA session titled ‘Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet’, which was also attended by US President Donald Trump, among others.

Mahar also participated in another session titled Leaders’ Event on Forced Labor, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, organized by British Prime Minister Theresa May. In his remarks, Mahara iterated Nepal’s commitment towards addressing issues related to forced and bonded labor, human trafficking and slavery.

The Deputy PM further pitched on the need to focus on education and awareness in collaboration with UN agencies and NGOs.

Mahara also had bilateral talks with Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende, where both the leaders discussed Nepal-Norway bilateral ties and cooperation.

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Nepal is all set to sign an international treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Nepal confirmed this yesterday stating that ‘Nepal will sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons this week during the 72^nd Session of the UN General Assembly’.

MoFA spokesperson Bharat Raj Paudyal informed that Nepali Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is also the in-charge of country’s foreign affairs, will be signing the treaty.

The decision shows Nepal’s commitment towards the achievement of a world free from the threat posed by nuclear weapons, said Paudyal.

Accompanied by the senior officials of his ministry, Mahara has already left for New York to attend UNGA session on September 18, 2017.

As part of the visit, Mahara will be participating in a meeting on UN Peacekeeping Operations on the sidelines of UNGA, wherein, he is expected to sign the Treaty on Prohibiting Nuclear Weapons.

Apart from signing the Treaty, the Deputy Prime Minister will also be participating in various other discussions including ministerial-level meetings of Landlocked LCDs, Asian Cooperation Dialogue in New York, Non-Aligned Movement, G-77 and South-South Cooperation, among others.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur will also be leaving for New York today to attend UNGA session and will be addressing UNGA on September 23, 2017.

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Nepal Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi and Mohamed Maliki, ambassador of Morocco to Nepal, signed a memorandum of understanding for the formation of a bilateral consultation mechanism between Nepal and Morocco on Thursday. The ceremony held at the foreign ministry was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara along with senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco based in New Delhi and Morocco’s Honorary Consul General Basant Kumar Chaudhary.

The bilateral consultation mechanism would facilitate consultations and exchange of visits between the two nations covering different areas of mutual interest.

In his address, Secretary Bairagi said that the consultation mechanism would help to enhance the bilateral engagement in various fields between Nepal and Morocco. Ambassador Maliki said that the two countries have enjoyed excellent bilateral relations since the diplomatic ties were established in 1975 and hoped that the MoU would result in increased cooperation between them.

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