Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba held bilateral meetings with officials from various countries, including foreign ministers, on the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) sidelines in New York.

In a meeting with her South Korean counterpart, Cho Tae-yul, the two leaders discussed a range of issues, including further strengthening bilateral relations and mutual interests, while acknowledging the importance of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Nepal and South Korea, which were established in 1974.

On the occasion, Minister Rana extended an invitation for the Korean President to visit Nepal, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, noting that exchange of such high-level visits would further consolidate bilateral relations.

During the meeting, Rana expressed her gratitude on behalf of the government of Nepal for the employment opportunities provided to Nepali citizens through the EPS (Employment Permit System) and the scholarships provided by the South Korean government to Nepali students and civil servants.

Additionally, she appreciated South Korean cooperation with Nepal through support in the social, economic and other fields, urging its additional investment in Nepal.

South Korea is one of the major foreign countries that have direct investment in Nepal. In the previous fiscal year alone, South Korea invested about Rs12 billion in Nepal. Also, Minister Rana sought Korea’s support for Nepal's candidatures to the United Nations Human Rights Council and Security Council.

Likewise, Minister Rana held a bilateral meeting with her Filipino

counterpart, Enrique A Manalo. Both leaders discussed mutual interests and potential future cooperation. Minister Rana also sought the Philippines’ support for Nepal’s candidatures to the United Nations Human Rights Council and Security Council.

Likewise, Minister Rana held talks with her Serb counterpart.

During the meeting, Nepal signed a MoU on visa waivers for diplomatic and official passport holders with Serbia.

“I am delighted to share that Nepal has signed a MoU on visa waivers for diplomatic and official passport holders with Serbia. Thank you Marko Djuric, minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, for facilitating this agreement,” said Minister Rana in a post on X.

“I look forward to continued engagement between our countries.”

In a separate meeting with Kevin Casas-Zamora, secretary-general of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), she expressed appreciation for International IDEA’s continued efforts towards strengthening democratic, federal, and electoral institutions in Nepal and globally.