The Nepal-Switzerland Bilateral Consultations Mechanism (BCM) recently concluded its fourth meeting in Bern, Switzerland. During this meeting, representatives from both nations engaged in a comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of Nepal-Switzerland relations.
Key topics included economic ties, development partnerships, multilateral cooperation, and addressing contemporary global issues such as climate change and human rights.
The BCM also delved into specific areas of collaboration, discussing matters related to high-level visits, Nepal’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation across various domains, including trade, investment, tourism, science and technology, and vocational training.
Notable participants in the meeting included Joint Secretary Ganesh Prasad Dhakal from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal and Assistant State Secretary Heinrich Schellenberg from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) of Switzerland.
The Nepali delegation, led by Ambassador Ram Prasad Subedi, also comprised embassy officials. Meanwhile, the Swiss delegation included representatives from the FDFA and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)1.
During the discussions, Joint Secretary Dhakal urged the Swiss side to encourage their investors’ participation in the upcoming Nepal Investment Summit scheduled to take place in Kathmandu this month.
In response, the Swiss government reaffirmed its commitment to Nepal’s development efforts, consistently recognizing Nepal as a priority country for Swiss Development Cooperation.
The Nepal-Switzerland Bilateral Consultations Mechanism, established in 2015, continues to foster collaboration between the two nations. The next meeting is slated to be held in Kathmandu, with mutually convenient dates.
