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US Ambassador Dean Thompson is visiting Mustang this week to highlight the United States’ commitment to preserving Nepal’s rich cultural heritage through the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). These projects reflect the strength of the 78-year US-Nepal partnership and contribute to sustainable tourism, economic growth, and cultural continuity. They also create opportunities for both the United States and local businesses in tourism, hospitality, and education.

During the visit, Ambassador Thompson and an Embassy team are visiting cultural heritage sites restored with AFCP support, engaging with local communities and project teams, and attending the Tiji Festival—a vibrant celebration of Nepal’s living traditions and shared values between the two nations.

“Every time I visit Mustang, I’m reminded that cultural heritage isn’t just about the past — it’s a living part of community identity,” said Ambassador Thompson. “AFCP restoration efforts help safeguard that identity while opening the door to new opportunities in tourism, education, and economic development. It’s a tangible example of how our two nations can grow stronger together.”

“Preserving culture is a smart investment,” said Public Affairs Chief Mike Harker. “When we restore a centuries-old monastery, we’re not just protecting history — we’re supporting communities, creating opportunities, and helping people share their stories with the world. That’s the kind of return cultural preservation can bring.”

The Government of Ireland has announced over $545,000 in funding to support civil society initiatives in Nepal. The announcement was made by Irish Ambassador to Nepal, Kevin Kelly, during a visit to Kathmandu as part of a broader European Union (EU) diplomatic mission involving 21 ambassadors and representatives from EU member states.

The funding will be provided through Irish Aid’s Civil Society Fund, which supports Ireland’s international development efforts. The initiative falls under a wider $8.6m grant allocation announced by Ireland’s Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD. Ten Irish NGOs will benefit from this funding, with two organizations implementing programs in Nepal.

Ambassador Kelly emphasized that the funding reflects Ireland’s commitment to inclusive, community-led development and its support for strengthening Nepal’s civil society.

Pokhara University hosted the third virtual workshop on “Curriculum and Pedagogy for Gender Sensitivity” on Tuesday, as part of the Erasmus+ MAGENDA Project on capacity building in higher education. The project, supported by the European Union, involves collaboration between ten universities from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Europe.

The event was inaugurated by Associate Professor Namraj Dhami, MAGENDA Project Coordinator, who discussed the importance of incorporating gender-inclusive pedagogy in institutional frameworks. The workshop was coordinated by Bangladesh Open University (BOU).

Deepmala Shrestha, a faculty member at Pokhara University, delivered the keynote address and introduced the Gender-Inclusive Pedagogical (GIP) framework. She noted that while gender aspects are present in the curriculum, challenges remain in terms of awareness and practical implementation. This discussion followed comments from Md Mizanoor Rahman, who observed that Bangladesh had made progress through gender-sensitive budgeting.

Prof Rishikesh Pandey of Pokhara University moderated the event. During the discussions, he noted that several higher education institutions in Nepal already run programs focused on gender and development. Professor Mohammad Mizanul Haque Kazal of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University highlighted the need for effective strategies to implement Gender Equality Plans (GEPs).

In her concluding remarks, Professor Sabina, MAGENDA Project Manager at BOU, said that shared experiences from universities in Bangladesh and Nepal could help shape future GEPs in Asia. Professor Md Serajul Islam, Director of the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at BOU and a MAGENDA researcher, also attended the workshop.

Yango Group has entered the Nepali market with the trial launch of its city services app, Yango. The app’s initial offering, Yango Ride, is a ride-hailing service currently undergoing testing in Kathmandu. Yango Ride connects passengers with local transportation providers and aims to assist partner drivers in finding customers. According to the company, the service uses technologies such as mapping, navigation systems, and smart order distribution algorithms to provide cost-effective options for passengers and improve operational efficiency for drivers. Adeniyi Adebayo, Chief Business Officer at Yango Ride, said the company is launching its trial phase in Kathmandu in collaboration with local entrepreneurs. He added that user feedback during the trial will be used to adjust the service to better suit the needs of the local market.