Nepal diaspora urged to utilise knowledge and capital in Nepal

KATHMANDU: Nepal diaspora has expressed its commitment to utilising their skills and capital for the economic development of Nepal.

During the inaugural two-day international convention of the United Nepali Diaspora Organisation (UNDO), which began in Kathmandu on Saturday, representatives from various countries pledged to unite the Nepali diaspora worldwide on the principles of equity, cooperation, and inclusion, and to contribute to the cause of Nepal and Nepalis.

On the occasion, noted philanthropist and CNN Hero of 2010, Anuradha Koirala, urged the Nepali diaspora to invest the capital and knowledge they have acquired in various nations back in Nepal, motivating future generations to love and support their homeland. Former President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), Shesh Ghale, advised the government to create an investment-friendly environment to attract the Nepali diaspora.

UNDO Founding President Sonam Lama stated that the organisation was established to connect Nepal with the Nepali diaspora and to encourage the latter to contribute to the sustainable development of their motherland. He noted that climate change and capital flight are concerns for the organisation, and it is working constructively to address these issues.

In the first session on climate change and migration, senior journalist Kunda Dixit, immigration expert Ganesh Gurung, ICIMOD's Dr Amina Maharjan, and Naresh Sharma from the Ministry of Forests and Environment discussed the relationship between climate change and migration, assessing the consequences of climate change and the brain drain driven by climate vulnerabilities.

The second session, focused on innovative infrastructure and the diaspora, featured Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority, Kul Man Ghising; Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Sushil Babu Dhakal; Chief Executive Officer of Public Transport Authority, Kuber Nepali; and energy expert Kushal Gurung. They shared their views on the potential support from the Nepali diaspora in Nepal's infrastructure and transport sectors.

The third session, which addressed 'policy and partnership', included Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board, Deepak Raj Joshi; legal policy expert Yubaraj Sangroula; Dr Jitendra Upadhayay Timilsina from McGill University, Canada; and Dr Indra Adhikari from the Policy Research Institute. They explored policy gaps that have hindered partnerships with the Nepali diaspora.

The event, themed 'Diaspora Engagement for Sustainable Nepal', is being attended by around 70 representatives from various nations.

On this occasion, the MIT Group Foundation, which supports research in Nepal's transport sector, signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government. The convention will conclude with the election of new leadership for UNDO through its annual general meeting (AGM).

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