President Poudel departs for Qatar

Kathmandu – President Ramchandra Paudel has departed today for the Qatari capital Doha to participate in the “Second World Summit for Social Development” being held from Kartik 18 to 20 under the invitation of Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar.

He is leading a 12-member Nepali delegation on the invitation. The President was seen off at Tribhuvan International Airport by Vice-President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Sushila Karki and Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal.

On the occasion, senior government officials, heads of security agencies, representatives of foreign diplomatic missions in Nepal and others were present. The Nepal Army accorded a guard of honour in honour of President Paudel.

President Paudel is scheduled to address the summit’s main session on Kartik 18. During the conference, he is slated to meet with the Qatari Amir and the UN Secretary-General António Guterres as well as various other distinguished persons.

According to a United Nations decision, this second summit is being held after 30 years. The first summit took place in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1995; this time Qatar is hosting the event.

During the summit, there will be in-depth discussions from various angles on issues such as global development inequalities, demographic imbalances and the impact of technology on society. The summit will also declare a joint commitment for cooperation and collaboration on social development.

Accompanying President Paudel are his wife Sabita Paudel, communications specialist Kiran Kumar Pokharel, the Secretary of the President’s Office and other senior officials of the Government of Nepal. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the President will return home on Kartik 20 upon completion of his visit.