Jutta Urpilainen, European Commission's Commissioner for International Cooperation to visit Nepal

Jutta Urpilainen, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, is due to travel to Nepal for an official visit to meet with Nepali officials and launch various EU initiatives there.

According to Commissioner Jutta, “I am glad to be traveling to Nepal to enhance our collaboration and engage on issues of mutual geopolitical concern, not least Russia's campaign of aggressiveness against Ukraine, which already had terrible effects on food security throughout the globe, including in Nepal”.

"I'm excited to share the Global Gateway strategy with partners, the EU's welcoming invitation to strengthen global health, education, and research systems and to advance smart, clean, and secure links in the digital, energy, and transportation sectors."

The timing of Commissioner Jutta's visit is crucial as Nepal prepares to leave the Least Developed Country category in 2026. This visit reaffirms the EU's strong and unshakable commitment to Nepal, which includes the recently announced Multiannual Indicative Programme for Nepal for 2021–2027.

As recommended by the government of Nepal, the European Union will support Nepal's green, resilient, and inclusive development effort to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic through the Multiannual Indicative Programme. Three priority areas will be the center of attention: sustainable and inclusive growth to assist local efforts to establish a greener future, green jobs, and sustainability in Nepal.

The program will address the development of human capital, particularly in the areas of nutrition and education, while adequately addressing regional inequities and human welfare indices. Jutta will include a visit to the Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital's Human Milk Bank on her itinerary.

Additionally, Jutta will speak on a one-on-one basis with both the new foreign minister Bimala Rai Poudel and prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. A 50 million euro support from Jutta is set to begin Nepal's new education sector strategy. 

According to a news release from the European Union Ambassador to Nepal, this symbolizes 20 years of EU support to promote access to school for boys and girls and a new generation to enhance the educational quality in Nepal.

Additionally, Commissioner Jutta will meet with representatives from international financial institutions, businesses, and civil society organizations. Together with the senators of the EU Member States with residents in Nepal (France, Finland, and Germany), government officials, development partners, and members of the commercial and civil society sectors, Jutta will announce the Team Europe Program on Green Recovery.

The Team Europe Venture will aid Nepal's initiatives to salvage from the pandemic and become stronger and cleaner and safer through further jobs, energy access, and increased societal resilience to shocks by quality service in groundwater, sanitation, nutritious food, and education, while found to be excellent participation of women in current leader and the economy.