High level representatives from various 41 countries including seven other SAARC member states and senior officials of various 22 multilateral organizations are expected to participate in the conference. The government has also invited three distinguished personalities in the conference being organized with the theme of "towards a resilient Nepal" on June 25.Spokesperson at Ministry of Finance (MoF) Ram Sharan Pudasaini said 24 of the total 41 countries invited have already confirmed in written their participation in the conference being held in the Soaltee Crowne Plaza. "We are confident that all the countries will participate at the highest level in the conference. We have been receiving confirmation from various countries and other multilateral organizations," he said. The MoF has launched online system for confirmation of participation.
Sources said there is a slim possibility of any head of the state or the government from major donor countries participating in the conference aimed at garnering necessary financial resources for reconstruction efforts and resilient recovery of Nepal and its people. The government has estimated that it requires $6.6 billion for post-quake rebuilding.
Foreign Minister from Norway, cabinet minister from Sri Lanka, Finance Minister from Bangladesh, Development Commissioner from EU Neven Mimica, World Bank Vice President (South Asia), JICA President, regional chiefs of UN Regional Headquarters of various specialized agencies among others are participating in the conference. "We expect 200 to 250 delegation members to visit in Nepal for the conference," Pudasaini said.
As per the tentative itinerary, the government plans to take the visiting delegation from various countries and multilateral agencies on June 24 to see first-hand the damaged caused by massive earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25 and later again on May 12 again. Discussions are underway to take them to Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk districts, besides some parts of Kathmandu Valley.
While Prime Minister Sushil Koirala is scheduled to inaugurate and deliver inaugurate address in the one-day conference, Foreign Minister Mahendra Pandey will be delivering welcome speech in the program. Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat will deliver speech on the conference theme. Representatives from India, China, Japan, ADB, WB, EU and the United Nations will also deliver their speech in the inaugural session. The inauguration will followed by business session and technical session.
Meanwhile, the Department of Information (DoI) has invited online application for foreign journalists visiting Nepal to obtain temporary press accreditation card to cover the event. The visiting journalists are asked to fill up online application uploaded at its website-- doinepal.gov.np-- and contact DoI along with three copies of passport size photographs, copy of their office identity card and valid visa. "Foreign journalists failing to obtain temporary press accreditation card will not be allowed access in the conference venue," said DoI Director General Laxmi Bilas Koirala.
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