Nepal diaspora urged to utilise knowledge and capital in Nepal

Kathmandu, Dec 29: Nepal diaspora has expressed its commitments to utilising their skills and capital for economic development of Nepal. 

During a two-day the first international convention of the United Nepali Diaspora Organisation (UNDO) that kicked off here on Saturday, representatives from various nations vowed to be united Nepali diaspora across the world on the basis of the principle of equity, cooperation and inclusion, and to deliver for the cause of Nepal and Nepalis. 

On the occasion, noted philanthropist and CNN Hero (for the year of 2010), Anuradha Koirala, urged the Nepali diaspora to invest the capital and knowledge they acquired in various nations in the world in Nepal, motivating the future generation to have love towards Nepal. 

Non Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) former President Shesh Ghale advised the government to ensure the investment-friendly atmosphere, targeting the Nepali diaspora. 

Organisation President Sonam Lama said the organisation was established with a view to connecting Nepal and Nepali diaspora and to encourage the latter for contributing to a sustainable development of the mother nation. 

As he said, climate change and capital flight are the concerns of the organization and it is working constructively to minimize the issues.  

Taking part in the first session on climate change and migration, senior journalist Kunda Dixit, immigration expert Dr Ganesh Gurung, ICIMOD's Dr Amina Maharjan and Naresh Sharma from the Ministry of Forests and Environment talked about the relations between climate change and migration, assessing consequences of climate change and the brain drain driven by climate vulnerabilities. 

In the second session that was focused on Innovative Infrastructure and Diaspora, Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority, Kulman Ghising, Joint –Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Sushil Babu Dhakal, Chief Executive Officer of Public Transport Authority, Kuber Nepali and energy expert Kushal Gurung gave their opinions in the potential support from the Nepali diaspora in Nepal's infrastructure and transport sectors. 

In the third session that was about 'policy and partnership', Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board, Deepak Raj Joshi, legal policy expert Yubaraj Sangroula, Dr Jitendra Upadhayay Timilsina from McGill University, Canada and Dr Indra Adhikari from Policy Research Institute explored policy gaps that have hampered the partnership with the Nepali diaspora.

The event themed 'Diaspora Engagement for Sustainable Nepal' is being attended by around 70 representatives from various nations. 

On the occasion, the MIT Group Foundation, that supports research in Nepal's transport sector and the government signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding. The Convention will conclude electing a new leadership for the Organisation through its annual general meeting. (RSS)