Kathmandu, Oct 26: A visiting delegation from the US Congress paid a courtesy call on Speaker Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal on Monday.
The delegation is led by Jason Smith, the Chairperson of Ways and Means Committee under the House of Representatives.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on Nepal-US relations, mutual cooperation, economic cooperation, management of climate-induced disasters and parliamentary cooperation, including other issues of common concerns, according to the Speakers’ Secretariat.
On the occasion, the Speaker said the government is putting forth its best effort to manage the situation after the floods in the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river system. He expressed gratitude to the US for its solidarity and support to Nepal during hours of such crisis.
He apprised the parliamentary delegation that Nepal’s emergency agenda, ‘Urgent Parliamentary Action to Address Climate-Related Disasters and Strengthen Resilience in the Himalayan Region and Other Vulnerable Areas’, presented at the recent 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Arusha, Tanzania, was approved with more than a two-thirds majority.
Echoing the need to establish and strengthen international and inter-parliamentary cooperation more effective to mitigate loss and damage, enrich disaster preparedness, and strengthen resilience in areas at high risk of disasters caused by climate change, the Speaker was of the view that in addressing climate-induced disasters, nations with economic strength and technical capabilities should engage in cooperation and provide support responsibly, rather than relying solely on grants.
Stating Nepal-US relations should be advanced beyond a focus on traditional grant assistance toward the promotion of investment and economic partnership, the Speaker pledged for the necessary policy and legal reforms to build an investment-friendly environment in Nepal and boost confidence of investors.
He also expressed his confidence that continuous collaboration and dialogue between the parliamentary caucuses within the US Congress and the Nepal-US Parliamentary Friendship Group would further grow.
Stating that exchanges of parliamentary visits would play a significant role in promoting friendly relations and parliamentary diplomacy, he thanked the delegation for visiting Nepal.
On the occasion, the UC parliamentary delegation expressed its sympathy to the significant loss that Nepal suffered due to the Bhotekoshi floods and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, paying tributes to those who lost their lives in the disaster.
They said that their visit to Nepal, prosperous with natural beauty and cultural heritages, has further energized them. It said that Nepal-US relations are based on cordiality and trust.
It expressed its interest in continuing the US support to Nepal’s economic, social, physical and humanitarian development and further strengthening parliamentary diplomatic ties between the two nations.
President of the International Relations and Tourism Committee, Sumnina Udas and President of Parliamentary Hearing Committee, Bodha Narayan Shrestha, were also present in the meeting.
