Kathmandu: Amb. Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal, President of the International Relations & Global Diplomacy Dialogue (IRGDD), Ambassadors Club Nepal, The Diplomat Nepal, and the Diplomatic Academy Nepal (DAN), paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Mr. Khadak Raj Paudel (Ganesh Paudel), Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
The meeting centered on the evolving role of tourism diplomacy as a strategic instrument for advancing Nepal’s international engagement, economic development, and global competitiveness. The discussion underscored the importance of evidence-based policymaking, strategic international partnerships, and innovation-driven approaches to strengthening Nepal’s tourism sector in an increasingly interconnected world.
During the meeting, Amb. Dr. Parajuli Dhakal, former Ambassador of Nepal to the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Spain, shared the vision and work of IRGDD as an independent policy and research institution dedicated to evidence-based research, policy dialogue, strategic analysis, and advocacy on national and international issues. She highlighted IRGDD’s role in advancing Track 1.5 and Track II diplomacy by convening multi-stakeholder dialogues and fostering collaboration among government institutions, diplomats, academia, development partners, international organizations, and the private sector. In the context of tourism, she emphasized the value of research-driven policy formulation, technology-based tourism, destination modernization, investment promotion, digital transformation, and stronger institutional collaboration to support a more resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive tourism industry.
Hon. Minister Mr. Paudel appreciated the contributions of IRGDD and its sister institutions in fostering informed policy dialogue and constructive engagement on issues of national importance. On the occasion, Amb. Dr. Parajuli Dhakal also presented the latest editions of The Diplomat Nepal magazine to the Hon. Minister, highlighting the publication’s role in fostering informed discourse on diplomacy, international relations, public policy, investment, tourism, and Nepal’s engagement with the global community
