With the objective of providing a common forum for both diaspora and Nepali professionals from various fields to share and exchange their knowledge, innovation and expertise, a two-day long third Non-Resident Nepali Global Knowledge Convention will begin on October 17 in Kathmandu.

The event will commence together with the 11th International General Convention of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) which is taking place in Kathmandu from October 17 to 20.

This year, the convention will focus on the theme 'Science, Technology, Innovation and Investment for Socio-economic Development of Nepal', according to the convention organising committee of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA).

The theme of the convention is shaped by the Nepal National Planning Commission's Fifteenth Plan (2019-2024) and the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

The convention is expected to create a vibrant platform to discuss and develop strategies and action plans to ensure that science, technology and innovation are valued and wisely used for the benefit of Nepali people in the days to come. The convention will provide a unique opportunity for NRNA members and Nepali experts and investors for network, linkage and knowledge sharing on the theme, the organiser said in a statement.

“The convention is expected to enhance multi-stakeholder engagement toward the utilisation of science, technology and innovation for the socioeconomic development of the country,” reads the statement.

“While this year's convention highly valued the output and recommendations of the previous conventions, this year, the organising committee has given the emphasis on the implementable agenda that can be used as a short and long-term plan.”

The organising committee believes that the government, private sector, the diaspora communities and Nepali people should work collectively in order to achieve socio-economic development of the country by utilizing science innovation and technology.

The convention’s long-term objectives are to provide a common forum for diaspora and Nepali professionals from various fields to share and exchange their knowledge, Research and development innovation, expertise, networking, experiences, and work in partnerships in Nepal’s development projects, according to the organising committee.

The forum will work as a conduit between global and Nepal professional institutions to help Nepal’s outreach to the global knowledge pool and develop local and global institutional partnerships to help transition Nepal to a knowledge-based economy.

The event will have four plenary sessions focusing on the Roadmap to Nepal’s future economy, Science and technology investment, policies, collaboration and commercialization, Future IT and digital technology – Nepal positioning, Sustainable infrastructure, agriculture, and alternate energy, according to the organiser.

Similarly, there will have as many as 12 scientific symposiums in areas of smart and sustainable urban development, sustainable agriculture and food security, sustainable environment, disaster and risk management, renewable energy, biotechnology and commercial opportunity, S&T investment and policies, disruptive digital and AI technology, population and public health, economy and foreign investment, sustainable transportation and construction materials, and foreign employment and vocational-technical education and a special session of Science and Technology commercialization and application. The convention will also prepare a set of key recommendations for implementation.

The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) organises the Global Knowledge Convention every two years at the alternative year to the NRNA Global Conference.