Kathmandu: Sewa Lamsal, Ambassador of Nepal to the BENELUX countries and Head of Mission to the European Union, paid a courtesy call on Belen Martinez Carbonell, Secretary-General of the European External Action Service, in Brussels on Wednesday.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and underlined the cordial relationship between Nepal and the European Union, highlighting shared values and a long-standing partnership.
Ambassador Lamsal briefed Secretary-General Carbonell on Nepal’s recent political developments, including the latest elections, formation of a new government and its priorities. She also highlighted the government’s 100-point governance reform agenda and commitments to improving transparency, accountability and institutional efficiency.

Secretary-General Carbonell commended the inclusive nature of the new government, particularly the representation of women and disadvantaged communities in leadership roles. She also thanked Nepal for its continued support for EU positions in international forums, including the United Nations.
The two sides discussed Nepal’s forthcoming graduation from Least Developed Country status, ongoing efforts to exit the Financial Action Task Force grey list, updates on Nepal’s peace process and initiatives aimed at lifting the EU airspace ban on Nepali airlines.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening diplomatic engagement and expanding future collaboration. Officials from EEAS, including Joachim Knodt and Roshan Lyman, attended the meeting. Embassy representatives Richa Bhattarai and Aayusha Khanal were also present.
The meeting was held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, according to the Embassy of Nepal in Brussels.

Kathmandu: Narayan Prasad Dahal, Chairperson of Nepal’s National Assembly, called for youth-centred policies, inclusive governance, climate justice and digital inclusion while addressing the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Istanbul.
Speaking under the theme “Nurturing hope, securing peace and ensuring justice for future generations,” Dahal said the world is facing interconnected challenges including geopolitical tensions, climate change, economic crises, inequality and youth unemployment. He stressed that collective and inclusive action is essential to address these global issues.
Highlighting Nepal’s recent political developments, Dahal noted that nearly half of the members elected to the House of Representatives are youth, which he said has injected new energy, ideas and perspectives into Nepal’s lawmaking and development agenda. He emphasized that youth-centred thinking and programmes are vital to preserving hope and confidence in the future.
Dahal also underscored inclusivity as a prerequisite for peace, prosperity and sustainability. He said Nepal’s federal democratic republic, guided by proportional inclusion, has ensured representation of women, Dalits, Indigenous peoples, Madhesis and other marginalized communities. He informed the Assembly that women currently constitute 35.32 percent of Nepal’s Federal Parliament.
Emphasizing development and peace as mutually reinforcing, he called for accelerated implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and increased support for countries in special situations, including landlocked and least developed countries. He urged development partners to fulfill official development assistance commitments, expand trade opportunities and support technology transfer and capacity-building.
On climate change, Dahal warned that Nepal faces disproportionate risks despite negligible greenhouse gas emissions. He pointed to rising temperatures in the Himalayan region, glacier melt and glacial lake outburst floods affecting livelihoods and ecosystems. He reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045 and called for climate finance, clean energy promotion and stronger adaptation measures for vulnerable countries.
The National Assembly chair also highlighted the importance of technological advancement and digital inclusion, noting that rapid growth in artificial intelligence and digitalization is transforming governance, agriculture, health and education. He stressed the need to bridge the digital divide through policy reforms, investment in digital infrastructure and youth employment.
Concluding his remarks, Dahal said hope, peace and justice are interconnected foundations for a better future. He reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and called for joint global efforts to ensure dignity, security and prosperity for future generations.

Kathmandu: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised a virtual interaction programme April 16 with Nepali diplomatic missions based in West Asia and Africa, focusing on service delivery, safety of Nepali nationals and strengthening economic diplomacy.
During the programme, Ambassadors, Consuls General and Chargés d’Affaires briefed the Ministry on the prevailing situation in their respective countries. They also updated on the safety and security of Nepali nationals, the status of consular service delivery, innovative practices adopted by the missions, and their current priorities.

In his opening remarks, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai underscored the importance of effective service delivery and advancing economic diplomacy in the evolving global context. He also stressed leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and responsiveness of diplomatic missions.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal, in his closing remarks, highlighted the Government’s core priorities, including good governance and achieving economic prosperity through strengthened economic diplomacy. He instructed the missions to align their efforts with these priorities and further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery through innovation and digitalisation.
The programme was conducted by Joint Secretary Ram Kaji Khadka, Head of the Central Asia, West Asia and Africa Division at the Ministry.

Kathmandu: The Government of Nepal extends its sincere appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to the Government of the United Arab Emirates for granting pardon to 128 (One Hundred and Twenty-eight) Nepali inmates on the auspicious occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

According to the press statement, the ministry stated that the ministry highly values this kind gesture of pardon on the basis of humanitarian ground as an demonstration of cordiality in the bilateral relations between Nepal and the United Arab Emirates.

The decision of pardon was taken following the request of the Government of Nepal made through the Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi, UAE.