Kathmandu: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal marked Nepal Foreign Service Day 2083 BS on May 24. The event, observed on Jestha 10 of Nepali calendar every year since 2018, was participated in by a large group of people comprising in-service and former officials serving in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of academia, civil society and the media.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shisir Khanal, expressed his best wishes and highlighted the distinct role of the Foreign Service in the rapidly changing world. Minister Khanal underscored the need for transforming traditional diplomacy into a robust economic diplomacy for contributing to the prosperity of the country and wellbeing of Nepali people, and effective public diplomacy for enhancing the dignity and image of the nation internationally. Furthermore, the Minister underlined the need to “ensure that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stands tall as the first line of defense, safeguarding our sovereignty, national interest and attaining prosperity for all”.
Delivering his welcome remarks on the occasion, Foreign Secretary, Amrit Bahadur Rai, paid tribute to former officials for their invaluable contributions to Nepal’s Foreign Service and encouraged all young diplomats of the Ministry as well as all members of Nepal’s Foreign Service to remain professionally competent and adaptive to changing realities. He also urged all the concerned to dedicate themselves towards protecting and promoting the national interests of Nepal.
During the programme, newly inducted Foreign Service officials were welcomed and retired officials and staff were recognised for their dedicated service to the nation.
Officials of the Ministry, former Chief Secretary, Former Foreign Secretaries, former ambassadors and officials of Nepal’s Foreign Service, and representatives of the media were present at the programme.
The Nepali diplomatic missions abroad also joined the event virtually through a livestream.
