The Summit began with the national anthem of Nepal, followed by a traditional Nepali lamp lighting ceremony conducted by His Excellency Mr. Ram Kaji Khadka, Ambassador of Nepal to Germany, and Mr. Florian Krins, GIZ Country Manager. In his welcome address, Ambassador Khadka commended the professionalism and expertise of the Nepali diaspora in Germany. He highlighted Germany’s appeal as a prime destination for Nepali professionals and expressed optimism about increased opportunities due to recent amendments to Germany’s Skilled Migration Act.

Ambassador Khadka emphasized Nepal’s efforts to engage its diaspora in the country’s socio-economic development. He mentioned initiatives such as the establishment of the National Brain Gain Centre, the enactment of the Non-Resident Nepali Act and Regulations and amendments to the Citizenship Act. These efforts aim to encourage Nepali professionals abroad to contribute to Nepal’s development while continuing their careers in Germany. He expressed hope that the Summit would inspire participants to drive positive changes in Nepal’s social, economic, scientific and technological sectors.

Mr. Florian Krins outlined the Summit’s key objectives, focusing on the diverse aspects of life for Nepali professionals in Germany. Mr. Saurav Koirala from GIZ Kathmandu presented on GIZ’s PMD and MEG programs, illustrating how these initiatives foster synergy between the Nepali diaspora in Germany and their homeland.

The first day featured several panel discussions on pertinent topics. Themes included “Harnessing Diaspora’s Knowledge Capital: Going Beyond Conventional Remittance,” “Gender Mainstreaming in Nepal: Role and Expectations of the Nepali Diaspora” and “Nepal’s Tourism in the Post-COVID Scenario and the Role of the Nepali Diaspora.” Ms. Guilia Castro from FAO introduced the newly launched Diaspora Agri-Entrepreneurship Program during one of the sessions.

On the second day, the Summit hosted three parallel sessions focusing on Climate Change and Energy, Health and Information Technology and Digitization. These sessions allowed participants to delve deeper into specialized topics relevant to both Nepal and their professional fields.

In his closing remarks, Ambassador Khadka expressed his satisfaction with the active participation of Nepali professionals living in Germany. He advocated for the regular organization of such events to strengthen the expertise of the Nepali diaspora and enhance their contributions to Nepal’s socio-economic transformation. He also extended his gratitude to the Working Group members, panelists, semi-moderators and presenters for their dedication and efforts in making the Summit successful.

The Summit saw participation from such notable figures as Mr. Chiranjeewee Chataut, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation; Dr. Rajan Pande, Head of Internal Medicine at Bheri Hospital; and Mr. Narayan Timilsina, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Other experts, including Dr. Maheshwor Rupakheti, Senior Scientist, and Pro. Dr. Tri Ratna Bajracharya, along with various other professionals, contributed significantly to the discussions.

Approximately 70 Nepali professionals residing in Germany attended the Summit, actively engaging in the sessions and discussions. The Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy served as the Chief Moderator, ensuring the event’s smooth progression.

The Embassy of Nepal in Berlin hopes that this Summit will serve as a catalyst for the ongoing collaboration and continuous exchange of knowledge among the Nepali professional diaspora in Germany, while also benefiting Nepal’s development goals.

• - https://de.nepalembassy.gov.np/press-release-on-second-professionals-summit-jointly-organized-by-the-embassy-of-nepal-and-giz-kathmandu-in-berlin/
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