SEOUL (KOREA), April 12: Nepali lawmaker and former minister Ek Nath Dhakal has been appointed Secretary-General of the newly formed Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Conference (ISC)—a global platform promoting parliamentary diplomacy and international cooperation.
The ISC held its inaugural assembly on April 11 in Seoul, South Korea, drawing 150 delegates, including nearly 40 parliamentary speakers from around the world.
South Asia featured prominently, with Pakistan's Senate Chairman and former Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani elected as Founding Chairman of the ISC.
RSP seeks explanation from General Secretary Dhakal
Dhakal's appointment positions Nepal at the forefront of a global initiative tackling pressing challenges such as climate change, peacebuilding, and sustainable development through parliamentary engagement.
Lawmaker Sunita Baral represented Nepal at the assembly and addressed the forum.
Distinguished attendees included former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, South Korea's Vice Speaker Lee Hak-soon, and Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon. United Nations General Assembly President Philémon Yang and Inter-Parliamentary Union Secretary-General Martin Chungong addressed the event virtually.
The ISC aims to collaborate with intergovernmental, inter-parliamentary, and financial institutions to advance international cooperation. The Seoul assembly marks the beginning of Nepal's enhanced leadership role on the global stage.