I take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for the service and dedication of each member of the Honorary Consular Corps Nepal (HCCN) towards expanding the bonds of friendship, mutual understanding, and cooperation between Nepal and the countries you represent.
Particularly, your role in promoting economic and trade relations between Nepal and the respective countries is very significant. Equally commendable are the consular services and support you provide to the citizens of the countries you represent.
Over the years, through your dedication and professionalism, you have served as a vital bridge between Nepal and the respective countries, particularly in instances where there is limited diplomatic presence and engagement. Your efforts have significantly enriched Nepal’s international outreach and reinforced people-to-people, commercial, cultural, and institutional ties.
All honorary consuls shoulder a unique and delicate responsibility while faithfully advancing the interests of the countries that have entrusted you with this distinct role. As representatives, you are also deeply engaged with Nepal’s national priorities and aspirations.
Balancing these complementary responsibilities requires diplomacy, wisdom, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to advancing bilateral relations for mutual benefit.
As public servants, we must remain sensitive to public expectations. On various occasions, citizens have raised concerns regarding delays or lack of responsiveness in visa procedures and consular assistance in certain offices.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) is ever committed to providing all possible facilitation and support to honorary consuls, enabling them to discharge their duties effectively and seamlessly.
In this direction, the Ministry will initiate a timely review of the existing rules governing the regulation of functions and facilities for honorary consuls within domestic and international legal frameworks and practices.
More importantly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with other line ministries and relevant agencies, is eager to forge closer collaboration in advancing Nepal’s economic diplomacy and deepening economic partnerships between Nepal and the countries you represent.
Forums such as the Honorary Consular Corps Nepal and events like today’s provide us with opportunities to explore newer avenues and further deepen our collective efforts.
Following Nepal’s recent political transformation, driven by the aspirations of its young generation, both domestic and international expectations have grown considerably.
We believe that the Gen Z movement and the subsequent historic general elections have provided a strong foundation for the current government. This revitalized political mandate has laid the foundation for much-needed political stability, ensuring predictability, consistency, governance, and stability in government policies.
The mandate given by the people through the ballot is for an accountable and responsive government — a government that delivers more than it promises. This means that delivery should be visible in the improved daily lives of ordinary citizens.
We embrace this spirit from the core of our hearts. We have internalized the weight of this enormous responsibility. At its core, the priority of the current government rests upon two fundamental promises that define the spirit and aspirations of our people: uncompromising good governance and inclusive economic growth.
We are seriously committed to combating corruption by addressing its root causes. At the same time, we are aggressively pursuing reformative and enforcement measures. The first year of our five-year mandate will focus more on legal and institutional reforms while addressing the pressing issues affecting the daily lives of people.
Today, our citizens aspire to greater prosperity, expanded economic opportunities, inclusive development, and effective governance.
Consequently, our foreign policy and expression of national interest must increasingly serve these national priorities by promoting economic transformation, attracting investment, expanding market access, fostering innovation, and creating meaningful opportunities for our people.
Meeting these aspirations requires a pragmatic, dynamic, and forward-looking approach to both foreign policy and economic diplomacy. Strengthening economic diplomacy, attracting foreign direct investment, expanding market access, facilitating technology partnerships, and promoting tourism, innovation, and sustainable development must become central pillars of our international engagement.
Economic diplomacy has equally become an integral component of Nepal’s bilateral and multilateral relations with immediate neighbors, as well as with long-standing friends and development partners across the globe.
In this context, all honorary consuls are indispensable stakeholders, and I trust that you shoulder this responsibility with the necessary commitment and seriousness.
Through your extensive professional networks, profound understanding of local markets, and close engagement with both public and private sectors, you are uniquely positioned to facilitate trade, investment, tourism, education, collaboration, and cultural exchanges between Nepal and the countries you represent.
As the world undergoes rapid technological, geopolitical, and economic transformation, your insights and engagement become even more valuable.
I fully recognize both the opportunities and complexities inherent in serving as honorary consuls. The responsibilities entrusted to you require not only sound judgment but also the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct.
I have every confidence in your ability to honor the trust placed in you by both the sending and receiving states while carrying out your responsibilities in full conformity with international law and the domestic legal frameworks governing honorary consuls and their functions.
I encourage honorary consuls to regularly organize promotional activities and business-to-business forums on trade, investment, culture, and tourism.
I call upon the honorary consular corps to transform our long-standing working relationship into concrete and measurable outcomes.
Let me propose three priorities.
First, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently working on country-specific plans. I invite each honorary consul to work with us in formulating a comprehensive and constructive plan outlining clearly defined priorities and areas of cooperation, especially in high-value tourism, technology transfer, foreign direct investment, renewable energy, and trade facilitation.
As we commemorate this important milestone, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to strengthening international cooperation, advancing economic partnerships, and promoting peace, prosperity, and sustainable development through meaningful collaboration.
I encourage you to regularly organize promotional activities and business-to-business forums on trade, investment, and tourism. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stands ready to partner with you and facilitate your initiatives.
Second, citizen-centered consular services.
As public servants, we must remain sensitive to public expectations. On various occasions, citizens have raised concerns regarding delays or lack of responsiveness in visa procedures and consular assistance in certain offices.
This is a challenge. It is also a concern that we receive across various public service sectors.
I urge all members of the honorary consular corps to ensure that your respective operations are accessible, efficient, and proactive. Seamless service delivery directly strengthens Nepal’s goodwill and international image.
Third, strengthening cultural and people-to-people connections.
Diplomacy is ultimately built on human relationships. Beyond commercial ties, I encourage the honorary consuls to champion initiatives that foster educational exchanges, cultural partnerships, and youth engagement.
By deepening mutual understanding between our societies, we create a resilient foundation for long-term partnerships.
We see foreign missions, diplomatic establishments, and honorary consulates abroad as important assets for Nepal. Likewise, honorary consuls based in Africa and other regions can do significantly more.
We can collectively increase engagement and enhance partnerships with the business communities in the countries you represent for mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
As we commemorate this important milestone, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to strengthening international cooperation, advancing economic partnerships, and promoting peace, prosperity, and sustainable development through meaningful collaboration.
Allow me to once again congratulate each one of you for your dedicated service and invaluable contributions. I extend my sincere best wishes for the successful conclusion of the 19th Annual General Meeting of the Honorary Consular Corps Nepal and wish the organization continued success in the years to come.
(Views expressed by Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal at the inaugural session of the 19th General Convention of the Honorary Consular Corps Nepal (HCCN) in Kathmandu on Thursday)
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