KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 19
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, recently completed her official visit to Germany after attending the 2024 Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) Conference in Berlin. The visit followed her engagements in Brussels, The Hague, and Luxembourg, aimed at strengthening Nepal's diplomatic and developmental partnerships with the European Union and its member states.
During the ERC Conference in Berlin, Minister Deuba addressed the panel on "Pathways to LGBTQI+ Inclusion in National Laws and Policies," showcasing Nepal's leadership in safeguarding the rights of gender and sexual minorities.
"We have set an example not only in Asia but also across the globe in securing rights and welfare of the gender and sexual minorities," Minister Rana asserted.
She highlighted Nepal's progressive measures, including legal recognition of LGBTQI+ individuals, the recognition of same-sex marriage, and policies ensuring inclusivity in the federal census and voter registration.
"The Supreme Court of Nepal issued a landmark ruling, including granting legal recognition to the third gender and taking action against discrimination on the basis of gender. These decisions have set a precedent in the courts of other countries," she mentioned.
The Minister emphasized that Nepal's efforts serve as a global example of achieving inclusion through strong judicial decisions, policy reforms, and political will. However, she acknowledged challenges such as societal attitudes and effective implementation, reiterating Nepal's commitment to overcoming them.
In Brussels, Foreign Minister Deuba held bilateral discussions with European Commission officials, including Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, focusing on climate change, clean energy development, and lifting the EU ban on Nepali airlines. She also met Commissioner Jozef SÃkela, advocating for Nepal's smooth transition from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category and extended trade-related concessions under the EU's Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).
In Germany, Dr. Deuba visited the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) in Potsdam, where she explored potential collaborations for landslide warning systems and disaster risk reduction. She also reviewed the embassy in Bonn, engaged with the Nepali diaspora, and attended a reception hosted by Nepal's Ambassador-Designate to Germany, Dr. Shail Rupakheti.
During the ERC conference, Dr. Deuba also participated in the session on "LGBTQI+ in Feminist Foreign Policy," highlighting global challenges faced by gender and sexual minorities and advocating for transformative policy changes through feminist foreign policies.
Concluding her visit, Minister Deuba departed for New Delhi, India from Berlin, on Wednesday.
