KATHMANDU: Preparations have been completed for Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s official visit to Spain, beginning tomorrow.
PM Oli is set to make the visit at the friendly invitation of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez for the International Conference on Financing for Development of the United Nations (FFD-4), to be held in Seville, Spain, from June 30 to July 3.
Leaders of governments from around the world, global and regional organizations, financial and trade institutions, businesspeople, civil society, and relevant representatives of the United Nations system will participate in this conference on financing for development.
At the event, Nepal will advocate for the interests of least developed, small, and island nations. The conference will also discuss the implementation of investment commitments made by wealthy countries for poor and smaller nations.
Prime Minister Oli’s chief political advisor, Bishnu Prasad Rimal, said that the Prime Minister is attending the forum because it plays an important role in promoting international cooperation toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations by 2030.
Stating that preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit are complete, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri said the conference will focus on the challenges of mobilizing immediate and long-term assistance and investment needed for sustainable development through reforms in the global financial system.
Chhetri added that the conference holds significant importance for both developed and developing, including least developed, countries on key issues such as sustainable development, development financing, development assistance, investment, and technology transfer. Therefore, high-level participation and priority are essential.
He noted that Nepal’s role will be particularly significant, as the country currently chairs the international coordination of least developed countries.
During the visit, Prime Minister Oli will deliver a statement at the conference. He will also pay a courtesy call on King Felipe VI of Spain, meet with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez, and hold sideline meetings with leaders from other nations.
PM Oli is scheduled to leave for Madrid via Qatar on Saturday evening to attend the conference from June 30 to July 3. He will return home on July 4.
The high-level visit is expected to help attract investment from developed countries into Nepal and promote tourism from European nations, including Spain.
The 21-member delegation includes First Lady Radhika Shakya, the Prime Minister’s Chief Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, Finance Secretary Ghan Shyam Upadhyay, Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers Raj Kumar Shrestha, PM Oli’s Chief Personal Secretary Rajesh Bajracharya, and his personal physician Dr. Smriti Shakya, among others.
Additionally, eight more individuals from Spain and New York will join the Nepali delegation, including Nepali Ambassador to Spain Shanil Nepal and Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Lok Bahadur Thapa.
(RSS)
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