Lumbini Conclave, an international summit on 'Global Peace for Prosperity’ organized by Honorary Consular Corps Nepal (HCCN) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, started in Lumbini on Thursday.
As the contemporary world is marred by geopolitical tensions, war and economic crisis, there is a growing need for dialogue, understanding and cooperation among nations. The conclave has been organized aiming to unite high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Honorary Consuls, and Ambassadors representing Honorary Consular Corps Nepal (HCCN) countries to foster peace, tourism, better relationship to work on peace and areas of mutual benefits, and investment opportunities in Nepal.
HCCN is a non-profit and non-political organization representing all Honorary Consulate General/Honorary Consulates in Nepal. With its 61 members, the organization is actively working to strengthen relations between Nepal and the represented country. These countries associated with HCCN represent five continents of the world which bring over 15 percent tourists to Nepal and have consolidated economic size worth $18.64trn. It facilitates diplomatic relations, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation between Nepal and these countries.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Hit Bahadur Tamang, along with other high officials from the Investment Board, Nepal Tourism Board, and Lumbini Development Trust, are scheduled to participate in the conclave. The other attendees include ambassadors and representatives from 18 countries without embassies in Nepal, honorary consuls of various countries, high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, experts in foreign affairs, and cultural heritage.
The gathering aims to promote Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, as a tourist and religious site, attract investment to Nepal, and foster global unity. Discussions and presentations on investment opportunities in Nepal and its tourism potential will also be featured during the course of the conclave.
The conclave symbolizes HCCN’s commitment to peace and prosperity. It’s an opportunity to reflect on our shared responsibilities and to forge pathways for a harmonious and prosperous future.
The HCCN, alongside MoFA, envisions this conclave as a stepping stone towards a more peaceful and prosperous world, states the release issued.
During the conclave, there will be an art exhibition by Ujay Bajracharya and presentation by Sumnima Udas, founder and executive director of Lumbini Museum Initiative on Leveraging Lumbini's 'Soft Power,' and a presentation by Prof. Naresh Shakya, on 'Of Buddhist Art on Nepalese Art'.
Also, there will be a presentation on investment opportunities and proposed Nepal Investment Summit by Ramesh Adhikari, along with a presentation by Santosh Panta, director Nepal Tourism Board, on the tourism opportunities in Nepal.
Additionally, there will be a briefing from Prof Basant Bidari about various important sites in Lumbini and five precepts by venerable Bhikshhu. Meanwhile the participants will also be visiting various heritage sites in Lumbini Premises.
Bishnu Kumar Agarwal, the dean of HCCN, stated that the event is organized to connect Lumbini with nearly one billion Buddhists worldwide and to underscore its cultural and religious significance.
The event will conclude on March 23.
