A gift from one committee chair to another. Pictured: Committee Chair Raj Kishor Yadav, Nepal's former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, and Committee Chair Ine Eriksen Søreide. Photo by International Relations and Tourism Committee.

Historic meeting in Kathmandu between Norwegian and Nepali parliamentarians

The Norwegian Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense visited Nepal between 11-12 September. The committee met with several of Norway's most important partners and gained an insight into Nepal's political system and foreign policy affairs. The meeting with the Nepali Parliamentary Committee on International Relations and Tourism is the very first of its kind in Nepal.

20. Sep 2024

The visiting members of the Norwegian committee were Ine Eriksen Søreide, Åsmund Aukrust, Guri Melby, Ingrid Fiskaa, Sylvi Listhaug, Hårek Elvenes, Ola Borten Moe, Bengt Fasteraune, Trine Lise Sundnes, Nils-Ole Foshaug, as well as committee members Vibeke Rysst-Jensen and Gro Kolstad Mortvedt.

A meeting with the Nepali Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Tourism marked the first formal visit between the two committees, and is the first time the Nepali Committee hosts a foreign sister committee. It provided a useful arena for productive discussion on shared values such as democracy and human rights.

The International Relations and Tourism Committee has published a press release about the meeting, available here.

Patan Museum — The Norwegian Embassy in Kathmandu welcomes future visitors! Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Kathmandu

Introduction to development cooperation via the Embassy's education and energy portfolios

The committee members got an enhanced understanding of Norwegian development efforts in Nepal, with a particular focus on the Norwegian Embassy's education and renewable energy portfolios. Norway's official development cooperation dates back to 1964, and from then until 2020, Norway has provided more than NOK 5.5 billion in aid to Nepal.

Education is one of the Embassy's three priority areas, and Norway has supported the development of public primary education in Nepal since 2004. The committee visited Manamaiju Secondary School to observe Norway’s contribution to improving the quality of education. For over two decades, Norway has supported Nepal’s School Education Sector Plan. The delegation met with the principal, teachers, and students to discuss challenges such as gender equality and infrastructure.

Hydropower is the natural resource in Nepal that has the greatest potential as an engine for economic growth, and cooperation with Norwegian actors dates long back. The committee received a review of Norwegian-Nepalese energy cooperation over the past 60 years, and a tour of the Hydrolab modeling center. Alongside partners such as Kathmandu University, the Nepal Electricity Authority, and the Asian Development Bank, the Committee toured the facilities and engaged in discussions on ongoing projects, achievements, and future challenges.