It was a great honor for me to represent Suryodaya Municipality and our nation, Nepal, at the Asia Pacific Mayor Forum and the UCLG Conference held across different cities of South Korea. These gatherings brought together mayors, policymakers, and development leaders from across the region to share experiences and discuss how local governments can work together for sustainable growth.
Among the many participants of the Asia Pacific Mayor Academy, only six mayors successfully completed the six-month training program — and I was proud to be one of them. Receiving the graduation certificate among hundreds of fellow mayors was not just a personal achievement, but also a moment of pride for our municipality and for Nepal.
During the sessions, I had the opportunity to share the vision and progress of Suryodaya Municipality — our efforts to make the city more inclusive, resilient, and development-oriented. These platforms allowed me to highlight how even small municipalities like ours are making a difference through local innovation and strong community partnerships.
While in South Korea, I also met with several Nepali organizations and communities, including Kirat Rai Yayokha South Korea – Busan Chapter and New Vision Group South Korea. We had warm and productive interactions about collaboration, cultural connection, and future cooperation. I am deeply thankful to Mr. Priya Bhai Tagen Rai, President of New Vision Group, and his entire team for their support and hospitality during the visit. The Kirat Rai Yayokha Busan Chapter also honored me, which I accepted as recognition of our collective efforts toward uplifting our community both at home and abroad.
I would like to clarify that this visit involved no financial expense to the municipality. It was conducted entirely in accordance with the federal ministry’s recent guidelines regarding official delegations. Moreover, I believe such opportunities directly and indirectly contribute to the municipality’s development by strengthening our international relationships and learning from global experiences.
Following the forum, I was also invited to participate in the “International Disaster Resilience Leaders Forum – Incheon 2025.” This two-day program, attended by more than 400 representatives from 25 countries, included ministers, government officials, and international institutions such as UNDP, ADB, UNDRR, UN-Habitat, UNITAR, and many others.
I was privileged to represent Nepal in a panel discussion on “Mobilizing Finance for Strengthening Local Resilience,” alongside experts and representatives from Brazil, Argentina, India, the United States, the Philippines, and Namibia. It was a valuable opportunity to share how Suryodaya Municipality is integrating local finance and community initiatives to build a more resilient future.
These experiences have inspired me to bring new ideas and partnerships home. I firmly believe that the knowledge gained and the relationships built during this visit will help us move Suryodaya Municipality toward a brighter and more sustainable tomorrow.