HEADLINE NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

Nepal’s role in new knowledge based world should be enhanced
Participation in WSIS useful: Pandey

RSS

KATHMANDU, Jan. 18: Minister for Information and Communications and General Administration Ramesh Nath Pandey returned home tonight after taking part in the three-day Asia Regional Conference of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) held in Tokyo, Japan.
Talking to RSS and Nepal Television representatives at the VIP lounge of the Tribhuvan International Airport, Minister Pandey termed the Japan visit useful.

Replying a query, the Information and Communications Minister said the visit has achieved long-term benefits for the country.

He said that 48 countries and the representatives of 21 international agencies as well as the civic society had taken part in the Asia Regional Conference held in connection with preparations for the World Summit on Information Society going to be held in Geneva in December this year.
Minister Pandey also said that 169 members took part in the conference on behalf of the Civil Society.
Responding to another query, Minister Pandey said extensive discussion was held on converting the information society sector for the benefit of socio-economic, cultural and technical sector of the Asia and Pacific Region and then using it for the welfare of the mankind.

During the conference, Nepal also gave emphasis towards bridging the gap between the developed and underdeveloped countries in terms of the use of information and communications technology. This was supported by the international community as well, Pandey added.

Asked about the topics raised by Nepal at the Tokyo conference, he said, “We are on the threshold of entering a completely new world at present and this world will be based on knowledge.”

Therefore, at the Tokyo Conference the Nepalese delegation paid attention as to how Nepal could play its proper role in this new knowledge-based world and how this would provide the maximum benefit to Nepal, he added.

Responding to another query, Minister Pandey said Nepal’s participation at the Tokyo Conference was active and effective.

Asked what kind of effective role Nepal played in the conference, he said, “ Talking about effectiveness, the significant aspect was that on the second day of the conference there was a serious deadlock between the Chinese and Japanese delegations on the question of Taiwan. Even doubts were expressed that the conference would get obstructed. The entire morning session was obstructed and the afternoon session was also obstructed. Then leaders of Chinese and Japanese delegations contacted me and requested me to help remove the deadlock. I accepted their request and took up the leadership to put forth a proposal at the plenary. This was seconded by India and it was unanimously accepted to finally remove the impasse”.

Minister Pandey also said that representatives from the Japanese government and China met him separately and expressed their good will towards Nepal and lauded the efforts made by Nepal in saving the conference from being disrupted.

Stating that Nepal will take an active part in the summit to be held in Geneva in December, 2003, Minister Pandey said the organisers have requested for a high level participation from Nepal to the conference.

Referring to his meeting with Japanese leaders in Tokyo, Minister Pandey said during the meeting Japan showed interest in rural telecommunications, expansion of Radio Nepal and consolidating Nepal Television.

“In this connection, we will move ahead through diplomatic channel”, he added.

The Minister for Information and Communications also said that he held extensive discussions on matters relating to consolidating Nepal as a tourist destination with tourism entrepreneurs, journalists and writers in Japan and Hong Kong.

Minister Pandey also expressed confidence that his interaction with tourism entrepreneurs in Japan and Hong Kong would help in the promotion of the ailing tourism industry of the country.

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