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National Assembly (NA) Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal and Swiss National Council's President Eric Nussbaumer held a bilateral meeting in Geneva, Switzerland today.

The meeting took place during NA Chairperson Dahal's participation in the Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Switzerland.

During the meeting, they discussed further enhancing bilateral and economic relations between the two countries as well as addressing the international issues and bolstering multilateral cooperation, according to Federal Parliament's Secretariat.

On the occasion, Dahal expressed gratitude on the behalf of Nepali people towards the Swiss government for its important support in Nepal's peace process and conflict management.

Mentioning the common viewpoint that both countries had been upholding in various international multilateral forums such as the United Nations and IPU, he articulated Nepal's readiness for further strengthening the mutual interests and friendly ties between Nepal and Switzerland in bilateral, regional and multilateral levels, the Secretariat said.

Noting Switzerland's exemplary practice of democracy and federalism, he said that Nepal seeks to learn from these practices and further strengthen democracy and democratic institutions.

He highlighted the commitment of government of Nepal towards principle of inclusiveness to ensure participation of marginalized communities in the State apparatus and appraised of the provision of at least 33 per cent participation of women in the federal parliament and province assembly and at least 41 per cent in local levels.

Reaffirming Nepal's commitment towards completing the remaining works of peace process, he said that Nepal was moving towards the goal of sustainable peace, stability and development. "We expect the Swiss government's significant support to conclude the peace process in Nepal," he appealed.

Dahal also informed that the Federal Parliament had formed Nepal-Switzerland Parliamentary Friendly Group, opening the door for the parliaments of the both countries to exchange their experiences, knowledge and support.

Acknowledging Switzerland as one of the important development partners of Nepal, he expressed his gratitude to the government of Switzerland and Swiss citizens for their continuous development assistance.

Likewise, Swiss National Council's President Nussbaumer discussed the strong ties sharing Nepal and Switzerland and expressed his happiness to hold a meeting with his Nepali counterpart, the Secretariat said. Congratulating Nepal for introducing a legislation aimed at transitional justice, President Nussbaumer expressed Switzerland's readiness to assist in its implementation.

He also lauded Nepal for adopting federal governance system through the provision in new constitution, and pledged Swiss government's support in implementation of federalism.

In recognition to the potential of tourism in Nepal, Nussbaumer vowed utmost assistance from the Swiss government in tourism promotion of Nepal. 

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Kikuta Yutaka, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today.

During the meeting held at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar, they discussed traditional relations between the two countries, mutual welfare and exchange of cooperation.

Possible support from Japanese government for reconstruction of BP highway damaged by recent landslide and flood also featured in the meeting.

Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructures and Transport, Keshav Kumar Sharma, Joint-Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Krishna Prasad Dhakal, among others were present on the occasion.

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal held bilateral meetings with the President of the National Council of Switzerland, and the leaders of parliamentary delegations from India, China, Thailand, and the Philippines on the sidelines of the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), in Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday.

Dahal is currently in Geneva, leading the Nepali delegation to the IPU 149th Assembly.

Chairperson Dahal held a bilateral meeting with Eric Nussbaumer, President of the National Council of Swiss Confederation. The two leaders expressed commitment to enhancing inter-parliamentary exchanges and cooperation in areas of climate change, mountain conservation and disaster risk reduction, strengthening federalism, and the Swiss development cooperation in Nepal including in the peace process, the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva said in a press release.

Later in the evening, Chairman Dahal held a bilateral meeting with the leader of the Indian delegation, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Discussions focused on promoting cooperation in the bilateral, regional and multilateral fronts to strengthen democratic institutions.

Earlier today, the National Assembly Chair held a bilateral meeting with the leader of the Chinese delegation Tian Xuejun. The two sides discussed the need for parliamentary exchanges and cooperation to address the common challenges such as climate change, inequality and digital divide while contributing to promoting peace and stability.

During the bilateral meeting with Mongkol Surasajita, President of the Senate of Thailand, Dahal emphasized the historical and cultural ties between Nepal and Thailand deep rooted in the ideals of Buddhism. The two leaders discussed enhancing parliamentary exchanges and cooperation to promote peace, democracy and development.

The Chairperson of the National Assembly of Nepal also held a bilateral meeting with Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Speaker of the House of Representative of the Republic of the Philippines and discussed promoting inter-parliamentary cooperation to promote peace, democracy and development in the world.

Minister for Water Supply Pradeep Yadav has said the entire works on repair and maintenance of the Nallu, Basuki and Devaki water supply projects would be completed within 15 days.

He said so after inspecting the water sources of these projects in Godawari Municipality, Lalitpur on Tuesday. The water supply system in Godawari was disrupted after the flooding and landslide triggered by incessant rains on September 27 and 28 damaged the various structures.

"Today we took stock of the situation of the water source areas. A team comprised of the Director General of the Department of Forests, the Chief of the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) and the technical team from our Ministry reached the source of the water supply. The team will prepare a report along with the estimated cost. We will immediately start the repair and maintenance works once they submit the report," the Water Supply Minister said on the occasion. 

Stating that water is the basic right of citizens, Minister Yadav directed the officials concerned to carry out works to restore the local water supply system within three days, establishing coordination among the federal, provincial and local governments, and the technical agencies.

He said that the government was sensitive towards the problems of the local people, stressing on the need of sustainable infrastructures and long-term plans to prevent recurrence of such disasters in the future.

Minister Yadav was accompanied by lawmaker from Lalitpur constituency 1, Udaya Shumsher Rana, Chief of the Lalitpur District Coordination Committee, Rishidev Phuyal, Mayor of Godavari Municipality  Gajendra Maharjan, Deputy Mayor Muna Adhikari and the KUKL, the Department and the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management officials during the observation of the damaged water supply projects.