Kathmandu, Feb 4: Visiting British Prince Duke of Edinburgh Prince Edward paid a courtesy call on President Ramchandra Paudel today.
During the meeting held at the Office of the President-Sheetal Niwas- in Maharajgunj, various matters of mutual interests were discussed, according to the Office of the President.
Recognizing climate change as a major global concern at present, President Paudel called for collective efforts to address it. Stating that Nepal is highly vulnerable to climate change impact, the President said that Nepal has been eloquently enhancing advocacy for mountain conservation in various international forums, said Kiran Pokharel, Press Advisor to President Paudel.
Nepal, in a bid to draw attention and gain global leadership on climate action and enhance advocacy for climate justice, is going to organize Sagarmatha Sambad soon, appraised President Paudel.
The first edition of the Sagarmatha Sambad (Sagarmatha Dialogue) is slated to be organized in Kathmandu from coming May 16 to May 18 with a theme ‘Climate change, mountains and the future of humanity’.
The Head of the State held the view that the British royal family members’ visit to Nepal over different period of time had contributed in further strengthening the cordial ties between Nepal and the UK.
He recalled the twin state visits of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to Nepal in 1960 and 1986. President Paudel took the courtesy meeting as an opportunity to extend his gratitude towards the UK for its support for overall development of Nepal.
Mentioning the centuries-old ties between Nepal and the UK, Paudel said that the UK has remained as one of the top development partners to Nepal.
On the occasion, the President extended best wishes for the personal well being and good health of King Charles on the behalf of Nepali citizens and himself.
In reciprocation, British Prince Edward expressed his confidence that he would get to take cognizance of the impact of climate change on Nepal and the climate actions on the part of Nepal to mitigate the climate change.
He also anticipated that during his visit, he could understand the adverse effects of climate change on the mountains in Nepal.
Expressing his happiness to visit Nepal, Prince Edward expressed the view that the issue of youth and women empowerment would be more relevant in the future exchange of cooperation between Nepal and the UK. He mentioned that the relationship with the British Gurkha soldiers is a milestone in the harmonious relationship between Nepal and the UK.
On the occasion, Colonel Commandant of the Brigade of Gurkhas of the British Army, Major General Gerald Strickland, presented the 2024 annual report of the Brigade of Gurkhas to President Paudel.
President Paudel expressed his gratitude to the British government for presenting the report and said that the British-Gurkha is an important link in the bilateral relationship between the two countries. “The British-Gurkha is an important link in our bilateral relationship, and it has also made a significant contribution to further strengthening people-to-people relations,” President Paudel had said.
He expressed confidence that positive discussions are underway in the bilateral mechanism formed to address some of the legitimate grievances of former British Gurkha soldiers.
Present in the meeting were the Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie as well as British Ambassador to Nepal Rob Fenn. The British Prince and his wife, Duchess Sophie, arrived Nepal today itself. The British royal couple is scheduled to stay in Nepal until February 9. #nepal #UK #Edward #Gurkhas
