Bangladesh president to visit Nepal

President of Bangladesh Md Abdul Hamid will be paying an official goodwill visit to Nepal from November 12 to 15 at the invitation of President Bidhya Devi Bhandari.
Bangladesh President Hamid will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) upon his arrival, according to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry. “During the visit, President Hamid will meet with President Bhandari, as President Bhandari will host a banquet in honour of her counterpart and his delegation.”
Likewise, vice-president Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, chairperson of the National Assembly Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, and Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali will call on President Hamid, the press note reads, adding that senior political leaders of various political parties will also call on the president of Bangladesh. “While in Nepal, Bangladesh President Hamid will also be visiting the Lake City Pokhara and historical, archaeological and cultural sites in Kathmandu valley.”
The two countries, on the occasion, will discuss all issues of mutual interests. However, Bangladeshi media has reported that Bangladesh and Nepal will hold talks on Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement during President Hamid’s Nepal visit.
On the sidelines of the 18th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Azerbaijan on October 26, Bangladesh Prime Minister Seikh Hasina had requested Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to finalise the PTA with Nepal during President Hamid’s upcoming visit to Nepal. “The two prime ministers have reached agreement to make the BBIN agreement functional,” the Bangladeshi media reported, though the Foreign Ministry could not confirm it. 

18th NAM Summit concludes with Baku Declaration

The 18th Summit of heads of state and government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) concluded this afternoon issuing the Baku Declaration that calls for resolving to increase the effectiveness of the Movement by making it a dynamic and effective mechanism to represent, coordinate and support the interests and priorities of all of its member states.
The NAM member states have also decided to activate the role of the Movement for making it adequate to new realities in the current geopolitical landscape by promoting and upholding its founding principles which continue to be as much valid and relevant as originally conceived, according to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry.
The 18th NAM Summit also decided that the member states will remain united and steadfast within the Movement in view of the emerging threats and challenges to international peace, security and development.
The two-day 18th Summit of heads of state and government of the NAM was held at the Baku Congress Centre in Baku, the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan from October 25 to 26, where the member-states – during the conclusion – also declared that the effective implementation of the NAM Baku Summit Outcome Document and the documents of the previous NAM Summits and ministerial meetings requires the highest commitment and determination of all NAM member states. The NAM member states also decided to consolidate their positions in order to advance the interests of the developing world, build a fair, inclusive, transparent and effective system of global governance. “The member states shall support multilateralism with the UN at its core and give a boost to the central role of the United Nations in the institutional and legal framework of global governance,” reads the Declaration.
In this regard, the member states also decided to call for further strengthening and modernising of the UN, revitalising the UN General Assembly and strengthening its authority as the most democratic, accountable, universal and representative body of the organisation, including in the area of international peace and security.
“All states shall respect the territorial integrity, sovereignty, the sovereign equality, political independence and inviolability of international borders of other states, comply with the principles of non-intervention in the internal affairs”, the Declaration reads, adding that that any attempt aimed at partial or total disruption of the national unity or territorial integrity of states shall be continued to be opposed.
The states also decided to strengthen NAM solidarity in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations while stressing that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group. A decision was taken to observe the 2021 as the International Year of Peace and Trust and to continue to work towards the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, leaving no one behind, remembering that the Agenda is universal and transformative, based on peoples’ needs and interest.
They have also reaffirmed the central importance of the development dimensions in trade negotiations and maintain that a successful conclusion of the Doha Development Round, launched in 2001, can only be achieved, if the outcomes thereof significantly address the imbalances and inequities in the multilateral trading system, in which the interests of developing countries could be reflected.
The promulgation and application of unilateral coercive measures against member states of the Movement was strongly condemned, while demanding the repeal of, such measures, which affect human rights and prevent the full economic and social development of the peoples subjected to them.
They also reaffirmed that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of present time and express profound alarm that emissions of greenhouse gases continue to raise globally.
Reaffirming that the South-South Cooperation is an expression of solidarity and cooperation among the peoples and countries of the South, the NAM member states stressed on ensuring the full enjoyment of all human rights, including the right to development so as to build collective and sustainable peace and prosperity across the world.
The summit also recognised the member states’ primary responsibility to promote durable solutions for internally displaced persons in situations of armed conflict, including their voluntary return in safety and with dignity, as well as to ensure respect, protection and fulfillment of their human rights.
Finally, the member states congratulated President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for assuming the chairmanship of the NAM and expressed appreciation to the government and people of the Republic of Azerbaijan for hosting the 18th Summit of heads of state and government of the NAM in a grand manner.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli led a 21-member Nepali delegation to the 18th NAM summit in Baku. The Prime Minister Oli and the Nepali delegation will leave Baku tonight and arrive Kathmandu on Sunday morning.

Nepal to reaffirm its commitment to NAM principles during 18th NAM Summit

The 18th Summit of heads of state and government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) begins today.
The two-day Summit kicks off with the official opening ceremony at the Baku Congress Centre with participants including heads of state and government as well as senior government officials from 120 member countries, and representatives of the 17 observer countries and 10 observer organisations.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli – reached Baku late night on Thursday – leading a 21-member Nepali delegation. He is being accompanied by his spouse Radhika Shakya.
The Nepali delegation includes foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, chief adviser to the Prime Minister Bishnu Rimal, foreign affairs adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Rajan Bhattarai, foreign secretary Shanker Das Bairagi, Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations (UN) Amrit Rai and senior officials at the Foreign Ministry.
The Preparatory Ministerial Meeting was held on October 23-24 – as a preceding to the 18th NAM Summit – and senior officials meeting on October 21-22. The Summit will consider the report of the Preparatory Ministerial Meeting, review the progress achieved in the implementation of the outcomes of the 17th Summit held in 2016, and conclude tomorrow with the adoption of the Baku Declaration.
The ministerial meeting of NAM has analysed the present world situation, which reaffirmed the significance of the NAM in the new world order, according to the foreign minister Gyawali.
The two-day ministerial meeting preceding the summit has also drafted the Baku Declaration, which will be the major outcome document of the 18th NAM Summit.
The General Debate of the 18th NAM Summit will be held on ‘Upholding the Bandung Principles to ensure concerted and adequate response to the challenges of contemporary world’. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to address the general debate of the Summit later today.
The objective of NAM is that the developing counties need to have an independent identity, independent existence and right to develop independently, with a just representation in the world system.

Unequal distribution leaves poor and vulnerable countries behind

There is unequal distribution of the benefits of globalization leaving the poor and vulnerable countries behind, according to foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali.
Addressing the Preparatory Ministerial Meeting for the XVIII Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaija today, Gyawali said that there is unequal distribution of the benefits of globalisation, which left the poor and vulnerable countries behind. “In fact, these countries had become more vulnerable to the adverse impacts of financial and economic crises,” he said, adding that increasing incidents of terrorism, transnational organised crimes, violent extremism, and hate speeches, among others, have become everyday phenomena.
“The menace of climate change is outpacing our response,” Gyawali added. “Unfortunately, it is the poorest and most vulnerable who are hit hardest by the impacts of climate change despite their negligible emissions,” he said, adding that multilateralism has been under attack due to growing trends of populist nationalism and protectionism. “We must strengthen the multilateral system by upholding and defending the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law.
According to him, no peace and security can ever be sustained without achieving sustainable development. Similarly, no sustainable development can ever be achieved without sustaining peace and security. Therefore, NAM, as a group of 120 countries, has the special responsibility to use its numerical and moral strength to ensure adequate and predictable resources in preventing conflicts and helping its members achieve peace and stability.
The NAM is an epitome of collective pursuit of member countries for peaceful, just, fair and equitable world order. But he said that drawing its strength from the Bandung Principles, NAM has always led the path towards international solidarity and cooperation in the wake of ever-increasing challenges. “However, at present, our collective efforts to establish a peaceful and prosperous world are hindered by multiple challenges,” he said, adding that poverty and hunger still existed as blemishes on human dignity and achievements in scientific inventions, technological advances, and managerial innovations had not succeeded in soothing the pain of disease and deprivation. “Fair distribution of economic development and prosperity remains a far dream for millions of people trapped in abject poverty.”
The world economy has bounced back from the great recession and has been achieving global growth since 2010, but it has failed to raise the hope of the bottom billion for a better future,” he added.
The NAM membership, in the spirit of solidarity, should support each other in building domestic capacity by sharing their experiences, best practices and resources through the South-South Cooperation mechanism.
The Preparatory Ministerial Meeting is scheduled to make necessary substantive preparation for the XVIII NAM Summit to be held on October 25-26.

PM Oli to visit Azerbaijan to participate in 18th NAM Summit

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is visiting Baku, the capital city of the Republic of Azerbaijan later this week to participate in the 18th Summit of heads of State and government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Prime Minister Oli will leave for Baku on October 24 leading a Nepali delegation. The summit is being held from October 25 to 26, where he will address the general debate of the summit on October 26 to be held on the theme of ‘Upholding the Bandung Principles to ensure concerted and adequate response to the challenges of contemporary world’, according to a press note issued from the Foreign Ministry.
Prime Minister Oli will attend the official dinner to be hosted by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, in honour of the heads of delegation on October 25, the press note reads, adding that premier Oli will also hold bilateral meetings with the heads of delegations of different countries on the sidelines of the summit. “The Prime Minister will be accompanied by foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, chief adviser to the Prime Minister Bishnu Rimal, foreign affairs adviser to the Prime Minister Rajan Bhattarai, foreign secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and senior officials at the Foreign Ministry, apart from his spouse Mrs Radhika Shakya.”
The 18th NAM Summit will be preceded by the Preparatory Ministerial Meeting on October 23 and 24 and senior officials meeting on October 21 and 22. “The summit will consider the report of the Preparatory Ministerial Meeting, review the progress achieved in the implementation of the outcomes of the 17thSummit held in 2016, and conclude with the adoption of the Baku Declaration,” the press note reads.
Nepal is a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and has been actively participating in all NAM Summits since its inception. “Principles of non-alignment constitute one of the basic tenets of Nepal's foreign policy,” the press note reads, adding that the Prime Minister will return on October 26 and arrive in Kathmandu on October 27.

Nepal and Saint Lucia established diplomatic relations

Nepal and Saint Lucia established formal bilateral diplomatic relations.
Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations (UN) in New York Amrit Bahadur Rai and Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia to the UN Cosmos Richardson signed a joint communiqué to this effect amid a brief ceremony held at the Permanent Mission of Saint Lucia to the United Nations in New York this morning, according to a press note issued by Nepal's Permanent Mission to UN.
On the occasion, the two ambassadors expressed their confidence that the formal diplomatic relations will prove instrumental in bringing the two countries and peoples closer at the bilateral and multilateral forums. They also discussed measures to further deepen and expand the relations, the press note reads.
The two ambassadors also jointly informed secretary-general of the United Nations (UN) António Guterres about the establishment of Nepal-Saint Lucia diplomatic relations today.
A small island country in the Caribbean Sea, with its capital at Castries, Saint Luciacovers a land area of 617-sq-km and has an estimated population of 1,70,000. Tourism is a major contributing sector of the economy, which accounts for about 65 per cent of the total GDP. Many tourists visit the island country because of its volcanic origin and its location in the path of the northeastern trade winds and warm tropical maritime climate. The country exports bananas, cardboard cartons, clothing, coconut products and electronic goods.
Saint Lucia became member of the UN on September 18, 1979 following its independence from Great Britain.
Both Nepal and Saint Lucia are members of the Group of 77 and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). With this development, the number of countries with which Nepal has established diplomatic relations now reached 167.

Nepal participate in the ministerial meeting of NAM

Nepal participated in the ministerial meeting of the coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held yesterday and today in Caracas, Venezuela.
Speaking at the general debate organised under the theme of ‘Promotion and Consolidation of Peace through Respect for International Law’,  ambassador and permanent representative of Nepal to the United Nations in New York and the head of Nepali delegation Amrit Bahadur Rai expressed Nepal’s resolve,  as a founding member of NAM, to play an active and constructive role to strengthen and revitalise the NAM in upholding its principles, principles of international law and charter of the United Nations (UN) for sovereign equality, peace and prosperity in the world. While highlighting the success of Nepal’s home-grown peace process, ambassador Rai stressed the importance of dialogue for the pacific settlement of disputes.
Earlier yesterday, Nepali delegation also participated in the opening session of the ministerial meeting which was chaired by minister of the People’s Power for Foreign Affairs of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Jorge Arreaza. In the capacity of the presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) since 2016, president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro addressed the plenary session of the ministerial meeting yesterday afternoon. Also, in the presence of Maduro, the plenary session of the ministerial meeting adopted the ‘Caracas Final Document’ and the ‘Caracas Political Declaration’, which were negotiated in New York.
Later yesterday, Nepali delegation attended a dinner programme hosted by the minister of the People’s Power for Foreign Affairs, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in honour of the heads of the delegations to the meeting.
The ministerial meeting was preceded by the senior officials’ meeting of the NAM held on July 18 -19 also in Caracas. The two-member Nepali delegation to the ministerial and senior officials’ meetings was led by ambassador and permanent representative of Nepal to the United Nations in New York Amrit Bahadur Rai and included counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in New York Surendra Thapa.

Reshaping organisations to develop responsible global leaders

Experts from across the globe will brainstorm on reorganising organisations for responsible management and entrepreneurs for three days starting today.

"The second international conference on management will see some 102 papers from representatives of 35 countries in 16 technical sessions on March 10-12," said founding chairman of Nepalese Academy of Management (NAM) — the organiser of the event — Prof Dr Devraj Adhikari, here today.

Organised by NAM in cooperation with Presidential Business School and various business and financial institutions, and educational institutions on the theme 'Reshaping Organisations to Develop Responsible Global Leadership', the conference will also have presentations by a dozen international experts in the plenary, he said, adding that globally recognised experts will give keynote speeches during the sessions.

The second edition of the two-year international conference will also exchange the latest developments in management, its implications and share their experiences. "The conference will also analyse challenges and opportunities on management and leadership development at the regional and international levels," Adhikari added.

"The conference could also be instrumental in helping domestic managerial problems," said finance minister Barshaman Pun, while inaugurating the conference.

The first NAM international conference was held in Kathmandu in 2011.