KATHMANDU: A talk program on the “Prospects of Science Diplomacy in Nepal” was organized today by the Center for Diplomacy and Development, bringing together academics, diplomats, and former government officials to discuss how science and diplomacy can jointly contribute to national and global progress.

Chairing the event, Mohan Krishna Shrestha, former Ambassador of Nepal to France from 2010 to 2014, emphasized that the world is entering a new era shaped by artificial intelligence and information technology.

“Science diplomacy holds enormous potential,” he said, adding that although developed countries have more resources, developing nations like Nepal are not short of talented individuals. “If developing countries reinforce mutual relations through science diplomacy, they can achieve far more beneficial outcomes for their people,” he stressed.

He noted that science and diplomacy are “inseparable forces,” capable of reinforcing each other. “Diplomacy can help science thrive in progressive directions, while scientific advancements can, in turn, facilitate smoother and more effective diplomacy,” he said, calling this synergy “a source of hope for humanity.”

The keynote speaker, Dr. Sunil Babu Shrestha, former Vice-Chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), stated that NAST has been actively working to promote science diplomacy in Nepal. He described it as a “relatively new but vital concept,” adding that it is a problem-solving form of diplomacy rooted in four key pillars: collaboration, trust-building, capacity deployment, and addressing challenges.

Former Minister Ganesh Shah, the chief guest of the program, emphasized the importance of Nepal adopting modern instruments of international cooperation, including science diplomacy, to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. Highlighting the current state of Nepal’s foreign relations, Shah remarked, “Our international relations have grown weaker than before; therefore, Nepal seriously needs to embrace science diplomacy.”

Former Nepali Ambassador to Spain and Oman, Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal, said Nepal is significantly lagging behind in science diplomacy and emphasized that it is high time the country takes the matter seriously.

She stressed the urgent need for coordinated efforts to integrate science into foreign policy and global collaboration.

During the same talk program organized by the Center for Diplomacy and Development, veteran climber Phurba Tenzing Sherpa and Raj Gurung were felicitated for their recent success in summiting Mount Everest. Sherpa, who reached the world’s highest peak for the 17th time, and Gurung, the first Nepali-origin resident of Hong Kong to scale Everest, were honored for their remarkable achievements.

The event highlighted how exchange of scientific knowledge, technology, and innovation between nations could enhance both domestic development and global solidarity—particularly if guided by diplomatic cooperation.

Participants agreed that Nepal must foster dialogue between scientists and diplomats, establish platforms for cross-border research cooperation, and invest in scientific education and policy frameworks to benefit from science diplomacy.