Minister Dr Rana calls for keeping pace with rapid technological advancements

Kathmandu, March 20: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has emphasized the importance of keeping up with the rapid advancements in digital technology to exploit its full potential.

Addressing a session on the Digital Public Infrastructure Conclave organized as part of the ongoing Raisina Dialogue 2025 in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, she highlighted the risks of missing opportunities due to failure to keep pace with technological advancements, expressing Nepal's readiness for the inevitable technological transformation.

She stressed Nepal's commitment to promoting the construction of inclusive and transformative digital public infrastructure (DPI). “There is a need to build safe and inclusive digital public infrastructure that benefits everyone, the one which helps in minimizing the risks at both individual and social levels as well as achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and maintaining equality across the world.”

She said, "As we gather in New Delhi, a city emblematic of South Asia’s ancient wisdom and modern dynamism, I am reminded of the timeless Sanskrit adage, “Vasudaiva Kutumbakam", which means "the world is one family". In today's interconnected digital age, this philosophy underscores the need for collaborative, human-centric technological ecosystems."

She noted that DPI plays a vital role in building an inclusive society, bridging divides, empowering communities, and redefining diplomacy in the coming times. Additionally, she stressed that it has a crucial role in governance and economic liberalization, much roads, electricity, and water networks, democratizing access to services, and promote regional and international cooperation through cross-border digital trade and data exchange.

She informed that Nepal has planned a digital journey with the ongoing improvements in the delivery of public services digitally. "Nepal is running e-governance programmes to help establish good governance by providing access to health, education, social security and public service delivery."

Dr Rana said, “We have made available the electronic banking payment system, and ensured access to mobile and other communication services among citizens. Therefore, I think these technology systems are not only digital tools but also tools of social justice, which ensures that no one is left behind on the journey towards prosperity.”

She briefed that Nepal also aims to improve our digital infrastructure and services, enhancing its accessibility across the country. 

She highlighted Nepal's digital initiatives guided by the e-Governance Blueprint and the Digital Nepal Framework, stating the country's ongoing process to introduce a Personal Data Protection Act. These regulations place the utmost importance on safeguarding citizen privacy and security, and strengthening cybersecurity mechanisms to protect Nepal's digital assets, she stressed.

Stating that developing digital literacy and skills is among the country's top priorities, Dr Rana expressed Nepal's continuous efforts to introduce digital literacy programs across schools, universities, and professional sectors; establish Citizen Service Centers to assist individuals with digital services; and enhance IT capacity within government institutions through structured training programmes.

Foreign Minister Rana said Nepal’s Digital Nepal Framework prioritizes agriculture, healthcare, and education, leveraging DPI to deliver real-time market data to farmers, telemedicine to remote villages, and e-learning tools to students. She described these innovations as being today’s realities, transforming lives in the Himalayas and beyond.

She also discussed the potential of DPI-generated data—anonymous, aggregated, and ethically sourced—which can train AI models to predict climate disasters, optimize supply chains, and personalize education. "We could imagine AI-driven advisories alerting Nepali farmers about impending monsoons or algorithms streamlining cross-border trade between Nepal and India."

Dr Rana called for India to support developing countries by sharing its expertise in digital infrastructure, e-commerce, and inclusive technological access. She pointed to India's pioneering efforts, such as Aadhaar (digital identity) and UPI (Unified Payments Interface), stating that these programmes have demonstrated how DPI can democratize access to services, spur entrepreneurship, and foster participation in the formal economy. (RSS)