Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has embarked on a significant diplomatic mission to the United States, attending a joint session of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Accompanied by a four-member delegation, Minister Pun commenced his journey to Washington DC aboard a Qatar Airways flight on Sunday morning. Upon touchdown at Washington Dulles International Airport, he received a warm welcome from Ambassador Sridhar Khatri.
Minister Pun’s itinerary in the US is packed with engagements spanning three days.
Notable meetings include discussions with key figures from the World Bank, such as Managing Director Anna Bjerde, Vice Presidents Martin Riser and Akihiko Nishio, as well as Guangzhe Chen, Vice President for Infrastructure, and Ricardo Puliti, Vice President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Additionally, Minister Pun is slated to meet with Bo Li, Assistant Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Beyond interactions with World Bank officials, Minister Pun will hold separate deliberations with representatives from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFP), and Atul Kasyap, President of the American Chamber of Commerce. He will also engage with members of the private sector and non-resident Nepalis.
A significant highlight of Minister Pun’s agenda is his role as the keynote speaker at the ministerial meeting of Group V-20, advocating for climate risk mitigation and increased financial support amidst global economic transitions. Furthermore, he will participate in discussions concerning climate resilience, the clean energy transition in South Asia, and various bilateral and multilateral dialogues.
Minister Pun will also address preparations for the upcoming International Development Association (IDA)-21 meeting under the World Bank Group, scheduled for June in Kathmandu. Emphasizing investment partnerships with the World Bank for Nepal’s development over the next five years, he will oversee crucial projects such as the 1,063 MW Upper Arun Semi-Reservoir Hydropower Project in Sankhuwasabha. The World Bank’s involvement in managing this transformative project underscores its significance.
This visit underscores Nepal’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with international financial institutions and fostering an environment conducive to investment, ultimately contributing to the country’s development goals.
