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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 9 welcomed the sixty-seven new Foreign Service officers. Official appointment letters were presented to them following an oath-taking ceremony.

Addressing the event, Foreign Secretary Amrit Kumar Rai congratulated all the new officers and instructed them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity while discharging their duties, guided by the motto of people first.

 He further emphasized the importance of competence, dedication and determination of Foreign Service officials to protect and promote Nepal’s national interest in the competitive world.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Nepal Ruwanthi Delpitiya has held a meeting with a delegation from the Nepal Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NSCCI), led by the President Vijay Shrestha.

The meeting focused on enhancing trade relations, exploring avenues to promote two-way tourism and new trade opportunities and fostering mutual growth between Sri Lanka and Nepal, according to the Embassy.

Commercial Officer Bibek Wosti delivered a presentation on Sri Lanka Expo 2026 outlining the event prospects.

The discussions emphasized ways to further develop bilateral trade, enhancing tourism collaboration and highlighted the potential for collaboration in upcoming trade initiatives, including participation in Sri Lanka Expo 2026.

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba is preparing to contest the upcoming March 5 elections from his home district, Dadeldhura.

In a recent meeting with leaders of the Nepali Congress Dadeldhura district committee, Deuba indicated that he would be running for office for the last time.

Deuba has already secured victory from Dadeldhura in the federal parliamentary elections seven times—in 1991, 1994, 1999, 2008, 2013, 2017, and 2022. If he contests again, this will mark his eighth bid for the seat.

Germany and Nepal on December 5 marked 50 years of technical cooperation, bringing together government partners, development stakeholders, and longstanding collaborators at the GIZ premises in Khumaltar. Under the theme “Woven Through Time, Shaping Tomorrow Together”, the event highlighted the milestones of a partnership that began with Bhaktapur’s heritage preservation in the early 1970s, expanded through GIZ’s work in infrastructure and urban development, industrial and entrepreneurial development, agriculture and forest management, peace building and conflict transformation, and post-earthquake reconstruction, and has now grown into one of Nepal’s longest-standing international collaborations in energy, health and sustainable economic development.

Over the years, German Development Cooperation has evolved into several organizations – GIZ, which is celebrating its 50 years of technical cooperation in Nepal today, KfW Development Bank, which is a German Financial Cooperation, and PTB, supporting quality assurance across sectors. Each organization brings its own expertise, but all share one approach: a partnership built on mutual respect, collaboration, and shared progress in Nepal.

Today, Germany-Nepal technical cooperation is closely aligned with Nepal’s national priorities and supports its regional and global commitments. The 50-year milestone underscores a partnership that is both long-standing and forward-looking.

The chief guest, Minister of Finance and Federal Affairs and General Administration Mr. Rameshwor Prasad Khanal, highlighted the significance of the 50-year partnership between Nepal and GIZ, describing it as a story of trust, cooperation, and shared aspirations. He stated, “It is a great privilege for me, on behalf of the Government of Nepal, to join in celebrating 50 years of GIZ’s dedicated service to our country. This milestone is evidence of what long-term cooperation, mutual respect, and a shared vision can achieve.”

Reflecting on GIZ’s contributions over the decades, the Minister noted, “GIZ has been more than a development agency; it has been a committed partner in Nepal’s pursuit of sustainable growth, social inclusion, and the well-being of our people.” The Minister called for deeper future collaboration in renewable energy, public health, decentralization, sustainable infrastructure, inclusive economic growth, and improved revenue systems.

The Minister concluded with a message of appreciation and commitment on behalf of the Government of Nepal, " I express our deepest gratitude to GIZ and our German partners. Let this golden jubilee be a renewed beginning, a call to collaboration, shared purpose, and continued progress toward a greener, healthier, and more equitable Nepal.”

In his address, His Excellency Udo Volz, the German Ambassador, reflected on the origins of the partnership with the restoration of Bhaktapur, saying, “A commitment that meant: your heritage matters, and we will help you preserve it.” He underlined where the past 50 years have taken this cooperation since then: “What started with restoring temples now provides digital solutions. What began with preserving the past now includes preparing for the future.”

Ms. Paulina Campos Monteros, Country Representative, GIZ Nepal, said: “We see ourselves as facilitators and long-term partners, bringing technical expertise and practical solutions, developed hand-in-hand with government, civil society, the private sector, and communities. Our role is to connect actors, support innovation, and help turn ideas into systems that last.”

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has stated that the government is prepared to take the toughest possible measures against corruption. 

Speaking at a program organized by the National Human Rights Commission in Lalitpur on Wednesday to mark the 77th International Human Rights Day, Prime Minister Karki said that corruption is the greatest challenge to human rights, and the government will not hesitate to take stringent action against it.

She remarked that corruption is not only an economic irregularity, but a serious human rights violation that deprives poor, vulnerable, and marginalized citizens of their fundamental rights. 

Prime Minister Karki emphasized that human rights cannot be safeguarded without transparency and accountability, asserting that the government is moving forward firmly in this direction.

Boosting tourism collaboration between China and Nepal can help strengthen mutual exchanges in various other fields, including economy, trade and culture, bolstering bilateral ties and advancing people-to-people bonds, Nepali experts said.

According to the latest statistics released by the Nepal Tourism Board, or NTB, the Himalayan nation recorded over 1 million foreign tourist arrivals in the first 11 months of 2025. The country welcomed 1,060,269 foreign tourists from January to November, compared with 1,055,520 visitors in the corresponding period last year.

India retained the top spot among the source markets for foreign tourists during the period, followed by the United States, while China ranked third with 86,800 arrivals recorded during the 11 months.

The robust volume of Chinese tourists in Nepal came as 2025 was designated as "Visit Nepal Year in China". The year also marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two neighbors.

"It is very important to keep enhancing people-to-people friendship through tourism, art performances, educational cooperation," said Harish Chandra Shah, president of the Nepal China Cultural and Educational Council.

He said Nepal and China enjoy common cultural affinity, social linkages and familial relations, but they also have different, diverse cultures and traditions.

Shah said that efforts have been underway in the recent past to boost cooperation and exchanges between the two sides. Among such initiatives, a conference was held in Kathmandu in May this year to promote collaboration between China and Nepal in the fields of cultural tourism and road-rail transport. The event led to the signing of agreements on tea trade and cultural tourism exchange.

Suresh Man Maharjan, founder and CEO of Himalayan Legends, a tour operator based in Kathmandu, said Nepal has particular charm for Chinese tourists, due to the vast diversity of landscapes as well as a wide range of activities that the landlocked nation offers, including exploring its folk culture and arts, ancient civilization, learning about its exotic flora and fauna, taking part in hiking and trekking, and enjoying adventure sports such as paragliding and river rafting.

Immersive travel

He said apart from the traditional mode of tourism, a new mode of immersive travel has been fostering closer ties. Here, primary and middle school students are offered an opportunity to experience Nepali folk music, or enjoy homestays in Nepal's villages.

"The latter can help young students from China gain an idea of the authentic lifestyle of the local villagers who live at the foot of the Himalayan mountains so they can understand each other's culture and customs," said the Nepali travel expert.

"This new mode of experience-based tours will become increasingly popular in future as participants can actively pursue knowledge about Nepal rather than just go sightseeing."

China and Nepal have enjoyed good connectivity, said experts in the travel industry. Himalaya Airlines, a China-Nepal joint venture based in Kathmandu, has been operating direct flights between Kathmandu, Nepal's capital city, and Lhasa, the capital city of China's Xizang autonomous region, and between Kathmandu and Southwest China's Chongqing.

Earlier this year, the carrier started the first-ever direct commercial flights between Lhasa and Pokhara, Nepal's second-largest city and a popular tourist attraction.

Prakash Pun, a tourism promoter in Hong Kong for Nepal's Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, said that tourism can help bridge the gap or narrow differences between people and cultures.

"It will lead to more frequent commercial activities and diplomatic exchanges between the two sides," he said. Source: China Daily

Nepali Congress leader Chandra Bhandari has announced his candidacy for the post of President at the party's 15th general convention.

Bhandari announced his candidacy for the party President via social media on Wednesday, saying that he is ready to move ahead in line with the interests of the people, values of democracy, and organizational needs.

Earlier, General Secretary Gagan Thapa had announced his candidacy for the post of President.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 200 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 252, 100 per tola today. 

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 3, 600 per tola.