Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud is leaving for Perth, Australia on Wednesday to participate in the 7th Indian Ocean Conference.

The foreign minister is scheduled to address the conference on the theme, ‘Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean,’ on Saturday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Australian government and India Foundation are jointly organising the conference on February 9-10.

While in Perth, Minister Saud will hold a bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong. The minister is also scheduled to hold meetings with participating heads of delegation from different countries on the sidelines of the conference.

Minister Saud will also visit Wellington, New Zealand for a bilateral meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand Winston Peters on February 14.

The meeting will be preceded by the second foreign ministry consultation meeting between the senior officials of the ministries, the foreign ministry said.

Minister Saud is accompanied by his spouse Jyotshna Adhikari Saud and officials of the foreign minister. Ambassador of Nepal to Australia Kailash Raj Pokharel will join the Nepali delegation.

The foreign minister is scheduled to return home on February 15.