Kathmandu : The fifth meeting of the Nepal-France Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) was held in Kathmandu on 19 June. It was conducted as part of a regular dialogue between Nepal and France, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The BCM served as an important platform to take stock of ongoing collaboration and explore new opportunities for deepening engagement between the two countries especially in light of the 75th anniversary of the first ascent of Annapurna by Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal.
The two sides held comprehensive discussions on a range of issues like economic partnership, science, technology, education, culture, and climate action. They expressed mutual interest in strengthening cooperation in both existing and emerging sectors such as renewable energy, early warning system for disaster risk reduction. Regional and global matters were also discussed with both sides reaffirming their firm commitment to multilateralism.
The Nepali delegation was led by Joint Secretary and Head of the Europe and the Americas Division at the Ministry, Mr. Ganesh Prasad Dhakal, with the representatives from various ministries. Similarly, the French delegation was led by Director for Asia and Oceania at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Benoît Guidée, and comprised of Ambassador of France to Nepal, Virginie Corteval, Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms. Elsa Calley, and desk officer, Ms. Hélène Schinkel.
The sixth meeting is scheduled to take place in Paris at a mutually convenient date.
