Submit your Article

Chief Election Commissioners from the member countries of the Forum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA), who are presently in Kathmandu for the 12th annual meeting of the Forum, paid a courtesy call on President Ram Chandra Paudel on Thursday.

During the meeting at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas today, President Paudel stressed that periodic elections are the cornerstone of democracy and means of ensuring citizens' access to and ownership of the state. He underlined the need to guarantee that each election is free and impartial. 

The Head-of-the State expressed his hope that the Conference would enhance impartiality, accountability, and fairness in elections across South Asia. "I hope that the Forum will continue to contribute to promoting and strengthening democracy through free, fair, reliable, and transparent election processes."

He as the President of the Chair country of the Forum said that Nepal is committed to achieving the collective goals of the organization and addressing the challenges collectively.

On the occasion, Chief Election Commissioner, Dinesh Thapaliya, briefed the President about the Conference, according to the Office of the President.

The Chief Election Commissioner and representatives from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives among others were present on the occasion.

The two-day FEMBoSA event hosted by the Election Commission of Nepal was inaugurated by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday.

President Ram Chandra Paudel authenticated the Bill to amend the Commission of the Investigation on the Enforced Disappeared Persons and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act (TRC Bill) on Thursday.

The President assented to the Bill in accordance with Article 113 (2) of the Constitution.

The Bill was submitted to the President for authentication following its endorsements by both Houses of Parliament recently.

A delegation led by Takebe Arata, Japanese parliamentarian, called on President Ram Chandra Paudel on Monday.

In the meeting held at the Office of the President, Sheetal Niwas today, President Paudel said to the visiting Japanese delegation that Nepal had a suitable environment for investment in sectors such as hydropower, tourism and agriculture.

Apprising that the Government of Nepal had recently reformed the law to create an enabling environment for investment, the Head of the State urged the Japanese investors to consider investment in Nepal, according to the Secretariat of President Paudel.

Expressing his gratitude towards Japan's 'unconditional and selfless' support towards Nepal, he thanked Japan's support especially in the areas of infrastructures, agriculture and health.

Mentioning that Nepal's relationship with Japan was culturally connected through the medium of Lord Buddha, the light of Asia, he viewed that the relation between Nepal and Japan was strong at people-to-people level as well.

He further asserted that the two countries shared a close bond due to the fact that both countries express the same voice in the international forums on the political agendas such as democracy, human rights and rule of law, stated the President's Secretariat.

Furthermore, President Paudel expressed his satisfaction over the performance of the Nepali students returning from Japan after learning skills there.

The Japanese delegation, on the occasion, drew the attention of President Paudel, towards enabling a favorable environment for the Japanese companies willing to invest in Nepal.

They shared that they were happy to meet Nepali students aspiring to travel to Japan for further studies who were eager to return home after learning skills there.

Arata, also Chairperson of Standing Committee on Judicial Affairs, House of Representatives in Japan, said that the Japanese delegations suggested the government of Nepal for economic decentralization and for creating a favorable environment for such returnees to retain in Nepal and work here.

President Ram Chandra Paudel today administered the oath of office and secrecy to all 19 newly-appointed ministers in the KP Sharma Oli-led government.

Prithvi Subba Gurung has been appointed as the Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Ramesh Lekhak as  Minister for Home Affairs, Sharad Singh Bhandari as Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security,  Arzu Rana as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pradip Yadav as Minister for Water Supply and Sanitation, Balaram Adhikari as Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation, Damodar Bhandari as Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, and Nawal Kishor Shah Sudi as Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens.

Likewise, Devendra Dahal has been appointed as the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Tejulal Chaudhary as the Minister for Youth and Sports, Pradip Paudel as the Minister for Health and Population, Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya as the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Badri Prasad Pandey as the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ramnath Adhikari as the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Bidhya Bhattarai as the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Manbir Rai as the Minister for Defense, Deepak Khadka as the Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Raj Kumar Gupta as the Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration and Ain Bahadur Shahi as the Minister for Forests and Environment.

Prior to this, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli took the oath of office and secrecy.

It was followed by the oath-taking ceremony of Deputy Prime Ministers Prakashman Singh and Bishnu Prasad Paudel.

Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Oli, Chief Judge Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly (NA) Chairperson Narayana Prasad Dahal, outgoing Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Jhalanath Khanal and Dr Baburam Bhattarai, various political leaders, lawmakers, government's senior officials, chiefs of security agencies, chiefs and representatives of Nepal-based diplomatic missions and distinguished personalities from different walks in the society were present on the occasion.

President Ram Chandra Paudel will appoint the new Prime Minister today.

The process of appointment and swearing-in of the Prime Minister will take place today after the deadline set by the President for the formation of the new government comes to an end, said Kiran Pokharel, the Press Advisor of the President.

President Paudel had, in accordance with Article 76 (2) of the Constitution, called on parties on Friday to submit their stake on the new government leadership by 5 pm today.

Accordingly, the Chairperson of CPN-UML KP Sharma Oli had submitted his claim for the post of the Prime Minister on Friday itself with the support of Nepali Congress.

Following the expiration of the deadline at 5 pm, President Paudel will appoint the Prime Minister this evening. However, the swearing-in ceremony of the prime minister and ministers will be held at 11 am on Monday, as the time will not be enough for the same on Sunday, added Press Advisor Pokharel.

A new government is being formed after incumbent Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal lost a majority of the Parliament, with the CPN-UML deciding to part ways with him and join hands with the main opposition, Nepali Congress.

The CPN-UML has said that President Ram Chandra Paudel should initiate the government formation process as per Article 76(2) of the Constitution after the incumbent Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “loses the crucial floor test” in the Parliament on July 12.

A meeting of the party’s Secretariat meeting has taken such a decision. After the meeting, UML leader Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said: “There are no constitutional and legal ambiguities regarding the government formation process, there are precedents vis-a-vis government formation as per Article 76(2) of the constitution.” 

Furthermore, he said the NC and the UML will participate in the government on an equal basis.

It should be noted that NC and UML, the largest and the second largest party in the Parliament, have agreed to form a national unity government to address burning issues facing the country. 

Against this backdrop, the UML meeting has decided to strive for bringing in “more and more parties” in the government. While addressing the party meeting, party Chairperson KP Sharma Oli said there has not been any concrete agreement with the NC about forming a commission for suggesting ways to form the next government.

According to the UML chair, there has been a principled position on constitution amendment but no discussion has taken place (between the two parties) on specific issues concerning the amendment. Oli accused ‘some forces’ of trying to create confusion about the NC-UML agreement.

We have realized that some provisions in the Constitution should be amended in keeping with changing times, he said. Oli is of the view that Prime Minister Dahal, at the helm of a minority government after the UML’s recent withdrawal, is still working to prevent UML from forming the next government by refusing to step down.

The NC and UML have agreed to form a national unity government but the text of the agreement has not been made public yet. As things stand, Oli is supposed to become the PM in the first phase and then hand over power to Deuba for the remaining term. PM Dahal is seeking a vote of confidence on Friday amid speculations that odds are stacked against him.  

Meanwhile, the UML has issued a whip to all its members in the House of Representatives (HoR) to mandatorily attend a session of the lower house scheduled for July 12 and to vote against PM Dahal.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal called on President Ram Chandra Paudel on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister and the CPN (Maoist Center) Chair visited the Head-of-the-State at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas. 

On the occasion, matters relating to the country's latest political developments were discussed, according to President's communications expert Kiran Pokhrel.

It may be noted that on Monday, the two largest parties in the federal Parliament- NC and the CPN-UML- agreed to share the power equation, aiming to form a new government under the leadership of UML Chair KP Sharma Oli.

Visiting Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong today paid a courtesy call on President Ram Chandra Paudel.

In the meeting held at the Office of the President in Shital Niwas, matters relating to Nepal-China relations and mutual interests and concerns were discussed, according to the Office of the President.

On occasion, President Paudel said China remains a major development partner of Nepal for long, acknowledging China's assistance to Nepal's development endeavors for over seven decades.

Sun has been on a three-day official visit to Nepal beginning on Monday to attend the 16th meeting of the Nepal-China Foreign Secretary Level Diplomatic Consultation Mechanism.

Wrapping up his visit to Switzerland and Germany, President Ram Chandra Paudel returned home on Wednesday.

Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal welcome him at the special room of the Tribhuvan International Airport.

A contingent of the Nepal Army also offered a guard of honor to President Paudel.

President Paudel had left for Switzerland to attend the High-level Segment of the 112th Session of the International Labor Conference in Jeneva on June 11.

After attending the conference, he left for Germany on June 15.

President Paudel’s spouse Sabita Paudel, foreign affairs expert to the President Dr Suresh Chandra Chalise and secretaries of the President’s Office and Foreign Ministry were in the visiting team.

President Ram Chandra Paudel's recent visit to Switzerland and the ongoing visit to the Federal Republic of Germany are expected to be instrumental in further consolidating and renewing Nepal's bilateral ties with these European nations.

Germany offered a huge welcome and hospitality to the President and his delegation, reflecting its goodwill towards Nepal. 

The President has been on an official visit to Germany since June 15, 2024 at the friendly invitation of his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The two held a bilateral meeting on Monday and Germany's President assured of much support to Nepal. 

The two Heads of State reportedly reviewed the bilateral relations being based on development support, trade, tourism, investment, and vocational training in a very cordial atmosphere. President Paudel encouraged Germany to support Nepal's agriculture, tourism, and water resources sectors, highlighting them as the development priorities of Nepal.

The President departed for Germany after completing his visit to Switzerland.

President Paudel also extended his invitation to his German counterpart for an official visit to Nepal. The year of Germany's unification coincided with the year of Nepal's restoration of democracy, he recalled.

The visit is expected to contribute additionally to enhancing Nepal's diplomatic relations in the entire Europe.

Political analyst Dr Chandra Dev Bhatta said the Head of State's visit to Germany after a long gap should be considered an important one. "Of late, Nepal's official relations with Europe have not been consolidated as per the expectations and this high-level visit will help address this gap."

He advised that Nepal should take measures to promote its relations with Germany which is the world's third economic power and the most powerful nation in Europe.

"Nepal's presence in Germany and its relations with it have to be sustained as it is the world's third largest economy and a powerful European nation," he added.

In connection with this visit, President Paudel held bilateral talks on June 12 with President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd in Bern before this.

Foreign affairs expert Dinesh Bhattarai also opined that the high-level visit from Nepal after a long time will help further strengthen the climate of trust between the two countries. "Germany is Nepal's close friend. Nepal has special relations with the socialist leaders and party of Germany. Willy Brandt, the former German Chancellor and the leader of the Social Democratic Party and Nepal's popular leader BP Koirala were close friends," he added.

Stating that the visit of the Head of State in itself is meaningful and significant, former ambassador Bhattarai expressed the belief that this visit would contribute to expanding the areas of cooperation in future.

According to him, Nepal can take notable benefit from Germany through export of handicraft goods and carpet, among other goods as well as through tourism promotion.

This is the first time since 1986 that a Head of State from Nepal has made an official visit to Germany.

Dr Suresh Chandra Chalise, the foreign affairs expert to the President, expressed the belief that this visit taking place at the Head of State-level from Nepal after 38 years would contribute towards further strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countries.

He stated that the President's visit to the world's third largest economy and Europe's influential country, Germany, would help in increasing investment and trade in Nepal.

Nepal and Germany established diplomatic relations on April 4, 1958. Since then, the ties between the two countries have progressed based on friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amrit Bahadur Rai said that the visits taking place at various levels between the two countries would assist in further deepening the mutual relations.

"We are confident that this visit at the Head of State level will contribute in bringing German investment and technology into Nepal. Germany has made a good deal of study and practices on adaptation to safeguard from the effects of climate change, and there are many things that Nepal can learn from this as well," he said.

Bhishma Raj Ojha/RSS

President Ram Chandra Paudel reached Berlin on Saturday.  He paid an official visit to Germany at the cordial invitation of President of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Ambassador of Nepal to Germany Ram Kaji Khadka and senior officials from the Federal Foreign Office and the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany welcomed the President and members of his entourage upon arrival at Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport, according to the Embassy of Nepal in Berlin.

President Paudel is accompanied by his spouse Sabita Paudel, Foreign Affairs Expert Dr Suresh Chandra Chalise, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Secretary at the Office of the President Dilliram Sharma and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Office of the President of Nepal.

This is the first official visit from Nepal at the level of the Head of State to Germany since 1986.

Official talks are scheduled to be held between President Paudel and the President of Germany on Monday, the Embassy has said.

Diplomatic relations were established between Nepal and Germany in 1958.

President Poudel is scheduled to return home on June 19.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has said that Nepal's Constitution has fully embraced the provisions of social justice such as equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal treatment, which is at the core of the International Labor Organization.

"With participation in the Global Coalition for Social Justice, we reaffirm our commitment to social justice, faith in multilateralism, and to renew the social contract," he said in his keynote address at the High-Level event of the 112th International Labor Conference and the Inaugural Session of the Global Coalition for Social Justice in Geneva, Switzerland earlier today.

"Our collective effort to achieve sustainable peace through social justice is as relevant today as it was a hundred years ago. When discussing sustainable peace, we must remember that it cannot be achieved without justice and economic-gains to the poor and downtrodden."

Stating that in course of its political journey from monarchy to a federal democratic republic, Nepal has placed social justice at the center of change in labor, employment, and social security sectors, he said that Nepal's constitution has enshrined labor rights, the right to employment, the right to form trade unions, and the right to participate in collective bargaining as fundamental rights. "To implement these constitutional provisions, we have made legal and institutional arrangements such as the Labor Act, Trade Union Act, Employment Rights Act, Contribution-based Social Security Act, and National Employment Policy."

The Global Coalition for Social Justice announced today is our noble initiative and shared commitment to embrace social justice for all and in all areas, as envisioned by the ILO. Ensuring equality and justice for workers is our collective resolve.

Noting that people in all countries and societies of the world must receive justice, and they must be freed from hunger and fear, he said since it is the world of work that has made the world prosperous, ensuring a fair share of the fruits of labor to reach the hands of workers is our shared responsibility; and this is social justice.

President Paudel also expressed belief that the Global Coalition for Social Justice would continuously inspire everyone to unite through social dialogue to maintain social harmony and tolerance and achieve economic development and prosperity.

On a different note, the President said as a resident of a mountainous country, I need to speak about climate change and its impacts to the lives of the Nepali people while discussing social justice at present and climate justice for the generations to come.

Climate change has severely affected supply of drinking water, crop patterns, biodiversity, and public health, pushing millions into marginal poverty and adding to stark inequality. Climate induced disasters have compounded problems by severely affecting livelihoods and causing displacement of families and communities from their homelands.

"Therefore, I believe that adequate funding, compensation, and necessary technology should be provided to countries in order to ensure climate justice," the President said, "The global community, especially major emitters, should not fail to shoulder this responsibility. While talking about social justice, we must not forget to ensure climate justice globally."

Noting that a significant amount of money that should be spent on development is being invested in deadly weapons for useless war, the President said that the international community should reverse this path and mobilize resources for the prosperity of humanity. "Sustainable peace can be achieved through shared prosperity and a sense of global brotherhood, not through weapons."

Nepal is actively engaged in the 8.7 Alliance, standing against child labour, forced labour, and modern slavery and also actively involved as a pathfinder country for employment and social security for a just transition. "Currently, we are implementing the Decent Work Program (2023–2027) in Nepal, which includes employment, rights, and social dialogue."

Nepal is committed to implementing the 'Decent Work Agenda' in embracing the digital economy, care economy, and gig economy, he said while pointing out the need to make assessments of the institutional, legal, and operational aspects of the ILO and reform so as to address the challenges of the changing world of work.

Referring to the increasing trend of young people from developing countries seeking employment in labor destination countries, President Paudel appealed to all countries of the world to treat migrant workers with respect and treat them equally and abide by the principle of decent work.

President Ram Chandra Paudel is leaving for Switzerland today to attend the inaugural Forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice that will take place during the High-level Segment of the 112th Session of the International Labor Conference.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has shared in a press statement that President Paudel will address the inaugural Forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice on June 13.

Paudel is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Swiss counterpart Viola Amherd on June 12.

Similarly, President Paudel will leave Geneva for Berlin on June 15 for an official visit to Germany at the invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Paudel is scheduled to hold official talks with his German counterpart on June 17, the Ministry added.

The President's spouse Sabita Paudel will accompany the President during the visit. P

resident's Foreign Affairs Expert Dr Suresh Chandra Chalise, Secretary at the Office of the President, Foreign Affairs Secretary and Nepal's Ambassadors to Switzerland and Germany are the other members of the delegation.

The President is scheduled to return home on June 19.

President Ram Chandra Paudel will be leaving for Geneva, Switzerland tomorrow.

He is scheduled to attend the inaugural Forum of Global Coalition Social Justice that will take place during the High-level Segment of the 112th Session of the International Labor Conference.

The President will address the inaugural Forum on June 13.

He will also hold bilateral talks with the President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd, on June 12, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This is the first time that a bilateral meeting has been scheduled between the Head of the State from Nepal and the President of the Swiss Confederation.

From Geneva, the President will leave for Berlin on June 15 in the course of an official visit to Germany at the invitation of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank Walter Steinmeier.  He will hold official talks with the German President on June 17.

He will be accompanied by his spouse Sabita Paudel, Dr Suresh Chalise, foreign affairs expert to the President, secretaries of the Office of the President and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ambassadors of Nepal to Switzerland and Germany, and senior officials of the Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has appealed to the global community to secure the future of the upcoming generation by mitigating negative impacts of climate change.

At a program organized at the President's Office on the occasion of the World Environment Day today, President Paudel said rapid changes in glaciers and glacial lakes due to growing impacts of global warming has added challenges to the lives and livelihoods with flash floods and landslides in the downstream areas.

"Nepal and other countries of the world are struggling with the crisis caused by climate change, pollution and loss of biodiversity. These crises cannot be solved by someone's efforts, everyone should be united", the President said.

He noted that our common challenges and opportunities have been incorporated in the theme of the World Environment Day ' Our Land, Our Future: Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resistance'.

Recalling the views expressed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to reduce Nepal's mountain crisis, high risk of climate change and climate-related problems in Nepal and other mountainous countries, President Paudel expressed concern over the negligible contribution to greenhouse gas emissions in Nepal.

He stressed the need for the world community to come together to solve the problems arising out of climate change and reduce its impact.

Stating that Nepal has been carrying out various works at the national level to mitigate the impacts of climate change and this issue has also been addressed in the policies and programs of the government, President Paudel expressed the belief that the President Climate Change Management Programme would help increase adaptive capacity by reducing the negative impacts of climate change.

President Paudel had opened the plantation by planting a sapling of 'palas' on the President building premises.

Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Chief Justice Bishwombhar Prasad Shrestha, Speaker Devraj Ghimire and National Assembly Chair Narayan Dahal also planted saplings.

Chief Secretary Baikuntha Aryal, Chief of Army Staff Prabhuram Sharma, chiefs of security agencies, ambassadors of different countries and heads of donor agencies were present on the occasion.

The 61st report of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has been submitted to President Ram Chandra Paudel.

Auditor General Toyam Raya submitted the report to President Paudel amidst a special function organized at the President's Office, Sheetal Niwas on Sunday.

On the occasion, President Paudel expressed belief that OAG would further investigate whether the government funds and properties are utilized or not. He viewed there was growing relevance of OAG.

The findings in the report would help hold those in power accountable in terms of economic procedure and financial responsibilities. It will further contribute to enhancing accountability and transparency in public agencies, thereby building good governance and national image, President Paudel added.