Nepal’s Foreign Affairs Minister Engages with South Korea and the Philippines at UNGA

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, attending the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, held separate meetings with her counterparts from South Korea and the Philippines on Tuesday.

In her discussion with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Minister Deuba highlighted various aspects of Nepal-Korea relations, focusing on mutual interests and common concerns. The two leaders expressed their commitment to further deepen the friendly ties grounded in mutual respect and understanding, particularly as both nations celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations established in 1974.

Minister Deuba extended an invitation to the South Korean President to visit Nepal, suggesting that such a high-level visit would further strengthen bilateral relations on the occasion of the golden jubilee. She also acknowledged the significant contributions of the South Korean government, particularly in providing employment opportunities for Nepalis through the Employment Permit System (EPS) and scholarships for Nepali students and civil service employees. Additionally, she urged South Korea to increase its investment in Nepal, which amounted to around Rs 12 billion in the last fiscal year, making it one of the leading countries in direct investment in Nepal.

Furthermore, Minister Deuba sought South Korea’s support for Nepal’s candidacy for both the United Nations Human Rights Council and the Security Council.

In her meeting with Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique A. Manalo, Minister Deuba discussed mutual benefits and areas for future cooperation. Similar to her previous meeting, she requested support from the Philippines for Nepal’s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council and Security Council.

These discussions reflect Nepal’s proactive approach to strengthening diplomatic ties and garnering international support on various platforms during the ongoing UNGA session.