Kathmandu, October 8
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong have held talks. In the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the long-standing friendly relations between Nepal and Australia and stressed further expanding cooperation in the days ahead.
According to Minister Khanal’s secretariat, the meeting, held in Melbourne on Thursday, discussed further strengthening ties between the two countries and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
During the meeting, Australian Foreign Minister Wong expressed sorrow for the families and communities affected by the recent floods in Nepal and said Australia stands with Nepal in post-disaster rescue, early recovery and reconstruction.
She announced an additional AUD 15 million in assistance for flood- and disaster-affected Nepal. The amount will be added to the AUD 11 million Australia had earlier announced for the emergency response. The new assistance will focus on relief and early recovery work, it was said.
Minister Khanal thanked the Australian government and the Australian people for the humanitarian support received during the disaster. He said the assistance received in a time of crisis has further strengthened the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries.
Cooperation on climate change and COP31
The meeting also discussed the common risks that Nepal and Pacific countries face because of climate change.
Khanal urged Australia to use its leading role in the international arena to raise, more effectively before the world at the upcoming COP31, the unequal and severe impact of climate change on Himalayan ecosystems.
He stressed expanding Nepal-Australia cooperation in climate adaptation, early warning systems, disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and the building of climate-resilient infrastructure.
Discussion on opening campuses of Australian universities in Nepal
The meeting also discussed expanding educational cooperation.
Both sides discussed the possibility of moving forward with initiatives to establish Australia-accredited technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions in Nepal and potential satellite campuses of Australian universities in Nepal.
Citing the contribution that Nepali students and the Nepali diaspora have made to Australia’s multicultural society and economy, Khanal asked that favourable and fair arrangements be made for eligible Nepali students amid policy changes on student visas.
From trade and investment to direct air connectivity
Expanding the Nepal-Australia economic partnership was also a priority in the meeting. Discussions covered possibilities for expanding cooperation in areas including trade and foreign direct investment, technology transfer, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, tourism promotion and labour mobility.
The two sides also talked about establishing direct air connectivity between Nepal and Australia. Direct flights are expected to make tourism, trade, investment and people-to-people ties easier.
Wong said Australia remains committed to further strengthening its partnership with Nepal in the days ahead. She also expressed a commitment to continued cooperation in the priority areas.
Both sides agreed to continue regular high-level exchanges and to work closely to turn the understandings reached in the meeting into concrete outcomes. They also expressed a commitment to making Nepal-Australia relations stronger and more multifaceted for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.
