KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 11

Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, has emphasized the need for regional cooperation to ensure the effective operation of Pokhara and Gautam Buddha International Airports.

Speaking at the Second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which commenced Wednesday in New Delhi, India, Minister Pandey highlighted that these two airports, in particular, require strong support from neighboring countries for optimal functioning.

He stated, 'Nepal's unique terrain and geography offer vast opportunities for research and development in the aviation sector. We can establish a regional research and training center in Nepal to collaborate on and promote best practices in areas such as ANS, search and rescue, meteorological services, and air traffic flow management. I strongly urge ICAO and its member countries to invest in establishing this Research and Training Centre in Nepal. We will facilitate these efforts.'

Minister Pandey also noted that Nepal's international airports are certified, and both Pokhara and Gautam Buddha International Airports are seeking regional cooperation for effective operations, reflecting Nepal's commitment to continuous improvement in aviation.

'Nepal had committed to enhancing its safety oversight capabilities to meet or exceed the global average for the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) by 2022. I am pleased to report that Nepal achieved an average of 70% in the 2022 audit,' he explained.

The Tourism Minister further shared that Nepal has successfully integrated the core principles of the Global Aviation Safety Plan into its National Aviation Safety Plan. As a signatory to the Chicago Convention, Nepal has adopted its principles and is moving toward enacting new laws to establish a permanent and independent accident investigation entity.

The two-day conference, jointly organized by the Indian government and ICAO, aims to create a new roadmap for enhancing the effectiveness of civil aviation in the Asia Pacific region.

More than 250 delegates from 41 countries are participating in the event.