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The government has recommended President Ram Chandra Paudel to convene a meeting of both the Houses of the Federal Parliament on January 31.

A Cabinet meeting held on Monday decided to recommend President Paudel to call the Parliament meeting at 1 pm on January 31 (Friday).

Prior to calling the meeting, Prime Minister KP Sharma had held a meeting with Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire.

During the meeting, they discussed convening the winter session of the Parliament.

Opposition parties have been mounting pressure on the government to call the Parliament session at the earliest.

Issuing a joint statement on Friday, the opposition parties had urged the government to call the Parliament session as soon as possible.

The newly appointed five ambassadors to various countries have taken an oath of office and secrecy in the presence of President Ramchandra Paudel.

In the oath-taking ceremony held at the Office of the President at Sheetal Niwas today, President Paudel administered the oath to the newly appointed ambassadors for Portugal, Malaysia, South Africa, Belgium and Denmark.

​​​​Prakashmani Poudel, the Ambassador designate to Portugal; Dr Netra Prasad Timilsina, the Ambassador designate to Malaysia; Prof Dr Kapilman Shrestha, the Ambassador designate to South Africa; Sewa Lamsal, the Ambassador designate to Belgium; and Sumnima Tuladhar, the Ambassador designate to Denmark took the oath of office and secrecy before the Head of the State.

President Ram Chandra Paudel said that festivals are instrumental to promote diverse cultural identities and enhance mutual good will, tolerance and solidarity among the communities having different religious faiths.

Extending best wishes to Christian religious people for their happiness, peace and good health on the occasion of the 'Christmas Day', he expressed the confidence that such festivals would further strengthen and consolidate national unity.

Christmas Day is celebrated every year on December 25 as a religious and cultural festival to mark the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ.

On the occasion, various programs are being organized in different parts of the country, including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Pokhara.

President Paudel wished that the festival of Christians would inspire all to deepen the spirit of mutual trust, love and unity.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has expressed belief that Udhauli festival will help further strengthen national unity enhancing the mutual harmony, tolerance and fraternity in the diverse Nepali society.

In a message of best wishes on the occasion of Udhauli festival 2081, President Paudel wished for the happiness, peace and prosperity to all Nepalis living home and abroad. Udhauli is the major festival of the Kirant community—mainly of Rai, Limbu, Sunuwar and Yakkha.

Clarifying that Udhauli festival marks the time of migration of people, animals and birds to lower land from highland as winter sets in, he said, "Newly harvested crops are offered to ancestors along with prayers to land on this festival."

"This Udhauli festival has helped to foster mutual harmony among all ethnic groups of Nepal as well as maintain familial, communal and societal unity", reads the message.

President Ram Chandr Paudel has appointed ambassadors to various five countries in accordance with the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.

Spokesperson at President's Office, Shailaja Regmi Bhattarai, informed that President Paudel appointed Prakash Mani Paudel as Nepal's resident ambassador to Portugal, while Sanil Nepal to Spain, Prof Dr Kapilman Shrestha to South Africa, Sewa Lamsal to Belgium and Dr Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe to South Korea. 

Nepal's participation in the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, under President Ramchandra Paudel's leadership has been fruitful, as the nation strongly voiced its major agendas on addressing climate change consequences.

Addressing a news conference organized at the VVIP lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport today upon President Paudel's arrival home after attending the COP29 in the Azerbaijani capital, Joint Secretary and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amrit Bahadur Rai, said the President's participation has further augmented the topics on climate change like 'the climate has to be protected with the unified sentiments from the Himalayas to the seas' that Nepal has been raising over the years.

"The President's visit has further supported in highlighting Nepal's view that the world community should increase the assistance in terms of technology and funds for the climate financing, reducing loss and damage and minimizing the sufferings of the least developed countries due to climate change impact," he said.

Spokesperson Rai said the President gave the message that Nepal is to host the 'Sagarmatha Sambad' or the 'Everest Dialogue' to forge a single voice calling for addressing the relationship from the Himalayas to the Oceans in an integrated way, and invited the world community to participate in the Dialogue.

According to him, the topic 'Protection of the Himalayas is Protecting the Earth' that the President raised in every forum, representing the common sentiment of the mountainous countries, has been found to be effective.

While in Azerbaijan, President Paudel participated in the inaugural session of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit on November 12 and addressed the event as the leader of the Nepali delegation.

Delivering the national statement at the Summit, the President reminded the global community that Nepal has been facing terrible consequences of global warming and climate change despite its negligible emissions.

He also underlined the importance of climate justice, adequate climate finance, and reparations for loss and damage.

The President underlined the importance of integrated approach and broader collaboration among mountainous and coastal countries as there is a linkage from mountains to the sea.

He highlighted that protecting the Himalayas is protecting ourselves and the entire humanity across the planet.

Besides, in the margins of the Summit, the President also held a meeting with his Maldivian counterpart, Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

Matters related to strengthening the bilateral relations, as well as cooperation on regional and multilateral issues were discussed at the meeting.

On November 13, the President addressed the 'High Level Dialogue: Advancing the Mountain Agenda and Mainstreaming Mountains and Climate Change within UNFCCC'organized by Kyrgyz Republic at the sidelines of COP29.

In his address to the High Level Dialogue, President Paudel stressed that integrated programs on poverty reduction and climate action should be implemented in the mountain region.

He underscored the importance of the Himalayas in ecological and environmental balanced and urged for mainstreaming mountain issues in global mountain agenda.

In the afternoon the same day, he chaired a high-level event titled 'Mountains in Peril: Loss and Damage in the Himalaya,' organized by the Government of Nepal, the Ministry of Forests and Environment.

Delivering his concluding remarks in the event, he stressed on the fact that mountains, particularly the Himalaya, are facing higher loss and damage due to their fragility. He also emphasized the need to build unity among mountainous nations and to raise unified voice in global forums for addressing the problem.

President also participated in a meeting of Heads of Delegation of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the sidelines of COP29.

In the meeting he urged the United Nations to intensify efforts for availing financial, technological and other forms of support to the LDCs and other developing countries to fight the impacts of global warming and climate change.

The President utilized the meeting to urge the UN Secretary-General to make the developed countries serious about the impact of climate change. President Paudel and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan held a bilateral meeting on November 14.

On the occasion, President Poudel thanked his Azerbaijani counterpart for organizing the COP29 successfully.

The two Presidents also exchanged views on strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.

Spokesperson Rai said that the Nepali delegation, under the leadership of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, will actively participate in the dialogues and discussions on thematic issues related to climate change and the documents to be passed therein, ensuring Nepal's national interest.

COP29 commenced on November 11 and it will continue until November 22. President Paudel had reached Baku on last Monday, leading the high-level delegation to the conference at the invitation of the Azerbaijan President Aliyev.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Ram Chandra Paudel in Baku, Azerbaijan on Wednesday.

Also today, President Paudel is organizing a special session on 'Addressing climate loss and damage in mountainous regions' on behalf of Nepal.

The session will draw the attention of the world community to the problems facing Nepal due to climate change. President Paudel will participate in the program to be organized by Kyrgyzstan today.

Minister for Forest and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi will attend the high-level meeting.

President Paudel arrived here on Monday leading a high-level delegation to attend the 29th Conference of Parties of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) summit at the invitation of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev.

Influential leaders working in the field of climate change in most countries of the world, including presidents or vice presidents of 40 countries and prime ministers of 35 countries, are participating in the conference for discussions and global cooperation.

President Ram Chandra Paudel, who arrived in Azerbaijan leading a high-level Nepali delegation to attend the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is hosting a high-level session on behalf of Nepal today.

In the session 'Addressing Climate Induced Loss and Damage in Mountainous Regions', Nepal would draw the attention of the global community to the agenda.

In his address to the COP29 summit on Tuesday, President Paudel called for the global community to internalize the reality that the protection of the mountains is the protection of the earth.

"Let us all take care that the protection of the mountains is the protection of the earth. The world should not forget that the process of turning the white mountains into black mountains will not only lead to the crisis in the countries but also the low-lying coastal countries", he stressed.

In the meeting with the President of the Maldives, Mohamud Muizzu on Tuesday, President Paudel said countries like Nepal and the Maldives which have been hit hard by climate change should ramp up bilateral collaboration on the issue and reciprocate in climate negotiations.

This time Nepal has participated in the 'World Leaders Climate Action Summit' under the leadership of President Paudel.

President Poudel arrived here on Monday to attend the COP29 summit at the invitation of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev.

Influential leaders working in the field of climate change in most countries of the world, including Presidents or Vice presidents of 40 countries and Prime Ministers of 35 countries, are participating in the conference for discussions and global cooperation.

President Ramchandra Paudel received the Tihar 'tika' from his sisters Sharada Pandit and Chanda Ojha at the auspicious hour of 11.37 am at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Shital Niwas, on the occasion of Bhaitika festival today.

On the occasion, the President's sisters put the ceremonial 'tika' on the forehead of the President and presented to him gifts including walnut and groundnut. Similarly, the President put 'tika' on the forehead of his sisters and offered them with money, as per the time-honoured tradition.

The ceremonial 'tika' comprises of blob of seven colours marked on a vertical thick line of white paste of rice flour on the forehead.

The Nepal Calendar Determination Committee had fixed 11.37 am today as the most auspicious time for the Bhaitika rituals.

However, the Committee has stated that the rituals can be conducted throughout the day today.

There is a custom of the sisters putting 'tika' on the foreheads of their brothers and vice-versa on Bhai Tika, the last and main day of the five-day-long Yamapanchak or the Tihar festival, the second biggest festival of Nepal.

 On the occasion of the Bijaya Dashami festival Saturday, President Ramchandra Paudel offered tika and jamara to citizens as the 'prasad' or blessings of the goddess Nawa Durga.

According to the President's Private Secretariat, the Head of the State gave tika and jamara to the public after he offered the Dashain tika to VVIPs including Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, Prakash Man Singh, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey, Minister of State for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Kanchharam Tamang and lawmaker Sapana Rajbhandari, among other distinguished personalities, visited the Shital Niwas to receive the Dashain tika from the President.

Those wishing to receive the Dashain blessings from the Head of the State reached the Shital Niwas today.

President Ramchandra Paudel received the Dashain tika, prasad, jamara and blessings from his elder brother 94-year-old Dundiraj Paudel today.

The Head of State received the tika and jamara at the President House, Shital Niwas at the auspicious time of 11.36 am today on the occasion of the Bijaya Dashami.

On the same occasion, President Paudel also received the Dashain tika, jamara and prasad from the priests. After receiving tika, the President offered tika and jamara to First Lady Sabita Paudel and other members of his family at the auspicious time, the President's Private Secretariat stated.

The President is also scheduled to give tika and jamara to the distinguished persons from 3.00pm to 3.30 pm and to the members of the public from 3.30pm to 5.00pm on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami today.

The President will give tika and jamara to the VVIPs, the Deputy Prime Ministers, the Province Chiefs, Ministers, justices, lawmakers and office-bearers of the constitutional bodies as well as to the officers of civil service, Army and Police from 3.00pm to 3.30 pm at his residence at the President House, Shital Niwas.

Thereafter, the Head of State will give tika and jamara to the interested members of the general public from 3.30pm to 5.00pm, according to the President's Secretariat. Dashain symbolizes the victory of truth over falsehood and it is linked to the legend of the goddess Durga's slaying Mahishasur, the demon.

It is believed that putting on the 'tika' epitomizes the goddess bestowing the power of victory as a blessing.

Putting on the tika on one's forehead also symbolizes purity and holiness. This tradition of putting on tika and jamara on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami contributes to the preservation of Nepali culture and tradition and it has significance, as it is also an occasion when all members of the family gather and receive blessings from their elders and seniors.

In this way, the Dashain tika carries religious, cultural and familial significance and it is believed to foster a sense of unity, love and peace in Nepali society.

President Ram Chandra Paudel is offering tika to the general public on the occasion of the Bada Dashain today.

President Paudel is scheduled to offer the tika and jamara to the public at his residence, Shital Niwas, from 3:30pm today.

Anyone willing to receive the tika can visit President's residence, Shital Niwas from 3:30am to 5:00pm, according to the President's Office.

Meanwhile, the President is scheduled to offer the tika to the VVIPs and VIPs from 3:00pm to 3:30pm.

The President's Office informed that dignitaries including lawmakers, deputy prime minister, province chief, ministers, justices, and officials from the constitutional bodies would be receiving the tika and jamara from the Head of the State. Even the civil servants, Nepali Army and Nepal Police persons would receive the tika.

President Paudel is receiving the tika from his elder brother Dundiraj Paudel aged 94 on the occasion of the Bijaya Dashami today.

He will be receiving tika, jamara, prasad and blessing from the elder brother.

On the same occasion, the Head of the State will take tika and jamara from gurus.

He is being offered the tika at the auspicious hour of 11:36am. After he receives the tika, President Paudel will also offer the tika to his family members including the first lady Sabita Paudel, according to President's personal secretariat. 

President Ram Chandra Paudel has extended best wishes to all Nepalis living in the country and abroad on the occasion of the Bijaya Dashami festival today.

President Paudel wished peace, prosperity and happiness to all Nepalis on this occasion- the day of the victory of truth over demonic attitude.

On the day of the Bijaya Dashami, we receive tika, jamara (holy seeding) and blessing from the respected elders.

"On the auspicious occasion of the Bijaya Dashami, 2081 today, I pray Goddess Durga for the peace, prosperity and happiness of all Nepali sisters and brothers living in the country and abroad," the Head of the State wished in the message, "May Goddess Durga bring stability, good governance and prosperity in the country."

National Assembly Chair Narayan Dahal called on President Ram Chandra Paudel at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Shital Niwas today.

On the occasion, the upper house chairman informed the Head of State about his participation in the 149th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Chair Dahal is leaving for Switzerland on October 11, leading a Nepali delegation to the IPU Assembly to be held there from October 13-17.

The General Debate of the IPU Assembly will focus on the overall theme "Harnessing science, technology and innovation (STI) for a more peaceful and sustainable future" and provide a platform for delegates to deliberate, exchange views and galvanize parliamentary action.

The Assembly will adopt resolutions on the emergency item and on the subject item taken up by the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights entitled "The impact of artificial intelligence on democracy, human rights and the rule of law". The Assembly is expected to conclude with the adoption of an outcome document on the overall theme of the General Debate, the IPU has stated on its website.

The government has celebrated Constitution Day by organizing a special program on Wednesday.

The program was organized at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel this morning.

President Ram Chandra Paudel, Vice-President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Speaker Devraj Ghimire and Chief Justice Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha among others were present in the program.

The Constitution was promulgated on September 20, 2015.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has said the annual reports of the National Security Council are historic documents.

Receiving the annual reports of the Council for the past two fiscal years 2079/80 BS (2022/23) and 2080/81 BS (2023/24) from Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli amidst a function at the Office of the Shital Niwas on Tuesday, he insisted on the full implementation of the reports incorporating the overall challenges.

He thanked all, including the Prime Minister and the Council Chair who contributed to the preparations of the reports, according to Council Member Secretary and Secretary at the Ministry of Defense, Rameshwor Dangal.

The reports presented the details about decisions made and major works executed by the Council in the past two years with international, regional, and national security analysis.

Submitting the documents to the Head-of-the-State, the Prime Minister said dimensions of international, regional, and national security and related challenges are changing with time. He stated that economic, strategic, and diplomatic competitive rivalry among the major power nations and the regional powers have gradual impacts on the country's economic and foreign relations policies.

A new form of security atmosphere is likely to emerge in the world security theatre due to various ongoing wars, conflicts, and strife in the international maritime transport routes. The rapid and unprecedented development in the area of information technology has contributed hugely to the world's socio-economic development, while also inducing additional complexities and challenges in the security sector simultaneously, according to the President.

He said the reports have advised diplomatic, strategic, economic, social, and security measures to be implemented ahead keeping the overall national security in the center with consideration to possible challenges due to international, regional, and national security scenarios.

In accordance with Article 266(3) of the Constitution, the National Security Council shall submit its annual report to the President, and the President shall cause the report to be presented through the Prime Minister before the Federal Parliament.

The Constitution has provisioned the National Security Council for making recommendations to the government, Council of Ministers for the formulation of a policy on overall national interest, security and defense of Nepal, and the mobilization and control of the Nepal Army.

It consists of the Prime Minister as the Chairperson and ministers of defense, home affairs, foreign affairs and finance, the chief secretary, and the Nepali Army chief as the members. 

The secretary at the Ministry of Defense shall constitutionally act as the member secretary of the National Security Council.