Nepal-Switzerland Bilateral Consultations Mechanism in Switzerland Reviews Comprehensive Relations

In Switzerland, the Nepal-Switzerland Bilateral Consultations Mechanism (BCM) convened to examine the entirety of Nepal-Switzerland relations, spanning economic ties, development collaboration, multilateral engagement, and contemporary global issues like climate change and human rights. The discussions, hosted at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in Bern on Tuesday, encompassed diverse topics including high-level exchanges, Nepal's transition from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and avenues for bolstering cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, science and technology, and vocational training.

Leading the discussions were Joint Secretary Ganesh Prasad Dhakal from Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Assistant State Secretary for Asia and the Pacific, Heinrich Schellenberg, representing the FDFA of Switzerland. The Nepali delegation, spearheaded by Ambassador Ram Prasad Subedi, included embassy officials, while the Swiss delegation comprised representatives from the FDFA and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

During the meeting, Joint Secretary Dhakal urged Switzerland to encourage its investors to actively participate in the upcoming Nepal Investment Summit slated for this month in Kathmandu. Expressing gratitude, the Nepali delegation acknowledged Switzerland's consistent prioritization of Nepal within its development cooperation framework. In turn, the Swiss counterparts expressed contentment with Nepal's progress and reaffirmed their enduring support for Nepal's developmental endeavors.

Established in 2015, the Nepal-Switzerland Bilateral Consultations Mechanism serves as a pivotal platform for fostering bilateral dialogue and cooperation. The embassy further disclosed that the next meeting is scheduled to take place in Kathmandu on dates agreed upon by both parties, underscoring the commitment to sustaining and fortifying the multifaceted partnership between Nepal and Switzerland.