KATHMANDU: Himalayan Outreach International Australia has announced a summit in Melbourne for the first time to promote goodwill, friendship, and strong relations.
According to the organizer, the summit is scheduled to take place on 23 February at Mount Alexander Road, Ascot Vale, VIC 3032, Melbourne.
To mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Nepal, Himalayan Outreach International decided to host a summit bringing together leaders, innovators, and stakeholders from Nepal and Australia to foster collaboration, Dan Bahadur Ghising, Organiser of the event, said.
"Australia and Nepal officially established diplomatic ties on February 15, 1960 and we extend our best wishes for a strong and lasting friendship between the people of both nations," Ghising added.
The primary objective of the summit is "Innovation for Sustainable Development: Nepal-Australia Partnership Conference." During the summit, keynote addresses will be delivered by distinguished leaders from Nepal and Australia while panel discussions are also planned on different themes including sustainable development, rural-urban partnerships and innovative ideas among others, said Ghising.
The summit will also have interactive workshops on solutions focusing on entrepreneurship and community empowerment. The summit will be attended by federal parliamentarians from Nepal, state MPs from Australia, mayors of municipalities, and key officials from the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Australia. Additionally, representatives from the USA, Singapore, China, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia will also be participating, according to Ghising.
"The summit will serve as a platform to promote cooperation for sustainable development, facilitate leadership dialogue between urban and rural regions, enhance knowledge exchange, support good governance, foster community development, and announce innovative entrepreneurship initiatives," he added.
It has been a decade since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the landlocked Nepal and the water-surrounded Australia. Significant progress has been made between the two nations in cultural and commercial exchanges. The diplomatic expansion of bilateral relations has not only broadened the countries' identities but also increased their responsibilities. The United Nations has adopted a policy of establishing bilateral relations with all member states, and in this context, the connection between the two countries dates back over a century.
"Looking back to the 1940s, the diplomatic relations between Nepal and Australia were notably significant, marked by high-level government visits and exchanges of cooperation. This can be seen as the beginning of the relationship, which was a great achievement," Ghising recounted.
Australia, a country representing a continent on the world map, has not limited its relations with Nepal to formalities, but has consistently acted as a true friend in an objective manner. "The Australian government allocates a special budget for Nepal in comparison to other developing countries. Every year, under the new budget, Nepal's bilateral programs are enhanced with an increase in direct aid," he added.
Commercial Reforms and Challenges If Nepal and Australia can collaborate equally in the commercial and labor sectors for mutual benefit, it will certainly benefit both nations. If Nepal can create opportunities in managing skilled labor for Australia, it will be fruitful. Australia's economic policies, particularly related to Chinese production, can open doors for other countries, and Nepal can gain commercial advantages from this.
"There is no direct land or sea transport route between Nepal and Australia. By utilizing neighboring countries' transport, further improvements can be made. Direct air travel remains equally challenging and should be addressed through high-level commercial discussions."
Currently, a large number of Nepali students are going to Australia for higher education, making it a primary destination for study. The liberal immigration policies have made Australia an attractive place for Nepalese, with its vast opportunities in a large country with a small population. After China and India, Nepal is the third-largest country sending international students to Australia. Additionally, the dependent visa associated with student visas also opens up pathways for earning, and the desire for a better lifestyle has led many Nepalese to settle in Australia, which directly impacts Nepal's remittance services, according to Ghising.
Nepal is an exciting destination for Australian tourists, offering a variety of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and adventure activities. Australian tourists enjoy visiting various tourist destinations in Nepal, which provide them with a unique experience. "Nepal's tourism sector is a major attraction for Australian tourists in terms of adventure, culture, and nature, helping to strengthen the relationship between the two countries."
