Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised the Nepali community for its contribution to Australia’s development and its role in enriching the country’s cultural diversity.

Albanese attended the Nepal Festival organised by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Australia for the first time, praising the community’s contribution to Australian society. He was welcomed at the event with a traditional Nepali Dhaka topi and khada scarf.

In an upbeat mood, Albanese said Australia was a multicultural country and that Nepalis had made an important contribution to its overall development. He also extended Tihar greetings to those attending the festival.

The NRNA Australia has been organising the Nepal Festival for the past two decades to promote Nepali art, culture and tourism. This was the first time an Australian prime minister had attended an event organised by the Nepali community.

During his address, Albanese also mentioned Nepali security officer Bikash Bharati, who was recently honoured for courageously carrying out his duties.

The prime minister expressed condolences to those who lost their lives in the floods and landslides that hit Nepal in August, and said Australia stood with the country in its relief and reconstruction efforts.

Albanese later took to social media to say he had celebrated Tihar with the Nepali community.

Chris Minns, premier of New South Wales, also attended the festival and praised Nepali art and culture.

The NRNA Australia organised the Nepal Festival on Saturday at Darling Harbour, a popular tourist destination in Sydney. Organisers said thousands of people attended.

The festival opened with a Nepal parade showcasing traditional dress and culture. Stalls offering Nepali food and featuring businesses were also set up.

The event drew not only members of the Nepali community but also a significant number of local residents.

The NRNA Australia holds the Nepal Festival every two years to promote Nepal’s art, culture and tourism.

Festivals are being organised in various Australian states this year as well. The presence of Albanese and the New South Wales premier added to the excitement, while the strong turnout of second-generation Nepalis made the event particularly engaging.