A senior Australian Government delegation, led by Ms Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary of the South and Central Asia Division at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), has concluded a three-day visit to Nepal.
During their visit the Australian delegation had fruitful meetings with the people from the various sectors of Nepal.
Ms. Storey had a courtesy meeting with Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal and Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle, said a press release of the Embassy of Australia in Kathmandu.
During the meeting. the Australia has reaffirmed the strong and enduring partnership between the two countries and identifying new opportunities for cooperation across trade, investment, education, climate action, and sustainable development.
During the visit, Ms. Storey co-chaired the Third Nepal-Australia Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) alongside Amrit Bahadur Rai, Foreign Secretary of Nepal.
Ms. Storey also co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) Committee with Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Secretary, Narayan Prasad Sharma Duwadee marking an important step forward in expanding economic cooperation between the two countries, release added.
The meetings underscored the shared commitment of both governments to deepening bilateral ties, and progressing mutual interests in regional and multilateral forums.
Australia also recognised the significant contribution of the Nepali diaspora in Australia, whose skills, enterprise, investment, and industriousness continue to enrich the people-to-people bonds between both countries and strengthen the bilateral relationship.
Given the importance of education in the bilateral relationship, Ms Storey interacted with inspiring Nepali alumni from Australian universities at an evening reception. She also engaged with students, academics, youth leaders, and foreign policy practitioners at Tribhuvan University, where she led a discussion on the future of Australia-Nepal relations.
Speaking to this audience, Ms Storey highlighted the values that underpin the Australia-Nepal partnership, it added.
“Our shared commitment to democratic principles and the rules-based order is a key pillar of our relationship and provides a strong foundation for working together to advance our shared interests,” Ms Storey said.
Ms Storey visited the Living Mountain Lab at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). Reflecting on Australia’s partnership with ICIMOD and commitment to addressing the impacts of climate change, she highlighted Australia’s support for regional cooperation and sharing expertise in natural resource management, climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
The visit further reinforced the growing momentum in Australia-Nepal relations and the opportunities for deeper cooperation in the years ahead, it said.
(All pictures are from Emabssy)
