KATHMANDU: Minister for Information and Communications Dr. Bikram Timilsina has stressed the need for resilient communication infrastructure and stronger international cooperation to ensure uninterrupted communication services during and after disasters.
Leading the Nepali delegation at a high-level thematic discussion held on Monday during the 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) in Doha, Qatar, Timilsina highlighted the damage caused to Nepal’s communication infrastructure by recent floods and landslides.
He said devastating flash floods along the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river corridor had caused significant loss of life and property, while also damaging critical communication infrastructure and disrupting services in several parts of the country.
The minister called for translating existing commitments to develop disaster-resilient communication infrastructure into measurable actions. He also emphasised the need to ensure affordable access to reliable and resilient communication services for all, while strengthening international cooperation in disaster preparedness and recovery.
On the sidelines of the conference, Timilsina held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Minister of Communications Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil. During the meeting, he briefed his Malaysian counterpart on Nepal’s efforts to accelerate digital transformation through the development of an inclusive and trusted digital ecosystem.
The two sides discussed opportunities to expand digital connectivity, strengthen institutional and technical capacity, promote digital trust and enhance cooperation in multilateral forums.
According to the Nepali Embassy in Doha, Minister Timilsina is also scheduled to address the plenary session of the conference.
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