Minister of Foreign Affairs Shishir Khanal received the Letter of Credentials of Sriram Haridass, the newly appointed UNFPA Representative for Nepal. During their meeting, they reaffirmed Nepal and UNFPA’s long-standing partnership in promoting population and development, sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and evidence-based policymaking. 

They also discussed Nepal’s changing demographic trends and the need to strengthen demographic data for inclusive and sustainable development.

Haridass reaffirmed the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), while working closely with the Government and partners to strengthen national systems and build demographic resilience. 

Haridass pledged UNFPA’s continued support for Nepal’s development priorities and demographic resilience. He is a Sri Lankan national with over 23 years of experience across Asia and Africa, he assumed the role in July 2026 after serving as UNFPA Representative ad interim. UNFPA has been supporting Nepal since 1971.