PM’s Spain visit preparations complete

KATHMANDU: Preparations for Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to Spain, leading the Nepali delegation to the United Nations’ Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, have been completed.

The high-level visit comes at the cordial invitation of UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

The global conference, taking place from Asar 16 to 19 in Seville, Spain, will bring together heads of state and government, representatives from global and regional financial institutions, the private sector, civil society, and UN agencies to deliberate on sustainable financing for development.

As chair of the global coordination mechanism for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Nepal is set to advocate on behalf of vulnerable nations—especially small, landlocked, and island developing countries—pressing for the fulfillment of investment commitments made by developed countries.

According to PM Oli’s Chief Advisor, Bishnu Prasad Rimal, the conference is critical to accelerating international support for achieving the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudyal Kshetri emphasized that the event will focus on reforming global financial architecture and addressing both immediate and long-term investment challenges needed for sustainable development.

During the visit, PM Oli will deliver a key address at the conference and hold high-level bilateral meetings, including a courtesy call with King Felipe VI of Spain and official talks with Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez. He will also engage in sideline meetings with leaders from other countries.

The Nepali delegation includes key government officials such as:

• First Lady Radhika Shakya
• Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai
• Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyay
• Chief Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office Rajkumar Shrestha
• Principal Private Secretary Rajesh Bajracharya
• PM’s Personal Physician Dr. Smriti Shakya
• Other senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance

A total of 29 representatives will participate—21 from Kathmandu and 8 from Spain and New York.

Ambassador Shanil Nepal (Spain) and Ambassador Lok Bahadur Thapa (UN Permanent Mission) will also join the delegation.

PM Oli is set to depart on Asar 14 via Doha, Qatar, and will return on Asar 20.

The visit is expected to strengthen Nepal’s global economic diplomacy, attract foreign investment, and promote Nepal as a destination for European tourists, especially from Spain.