Nepal and the United Arab Emirates have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations after senior officials from both countries met in New York and discussed a wide range of areas for future cooperation.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal held talks with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the UAE, on Saturday on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The meeting took place at the UAE’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations and focused on expanding cooperation while reviewing issues of mutual interest.
During the discussions, Khanal expressed gratitude on behalf of the government and people of Nepal for the support provided by the UAE following the severe climate-related floods that affected communities across the country.
The foreign minister thanked the UAE government and its people for their solidarity with those impacted by the disaster. He also acknowledged the humanitarian assistance already delivered to flood-affected areas and welcomed the UAE’s recent commitment to provide an additional $25 million in financial aid.
The support is expected to assist recovery efforts in communities that suffered extensive damage from flooding and related natural disasters. Nepal has faced increasing challenges from extreme weather events in recent years, with officials emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in disaster response and recovery.
Beyond humanitarian assistance, the two ministers discussed ways to deepen ties between their countries and broaden cooperation across several sectors.
Labour relations were among the key topics of discussion. Thousands of Nepali citizens work in the UAE, making employment and worker welfare important elements of the bilateral relationship. Both sides stressed the importance of continued collaboration in this area.
Trade and investment also featured prominently in the talks. Officials explored opportunities to strengthen economic links and encourage greater business engagement between the two nations.
Tourism was another area highlighted during the meeting. Both countries expressed interest in expanding tourism cooperation and increasing people-to-people connections through stronger travel and cultural exchanges.
Renewable energy emerged as an important subject as well. With both countries focusing on sustainable development and clean energy initiatives, officials discussed opportunities for future collaboration in energy projects and related technologies.
Connectivity and infrastructure cooperation were also reviewed. The ministers emphasized the value of improving links that can support economic growth, investment and broader regional engagement.
The discussions extended to multilateral cooperation under the United Nations framework. Both countries reaffirmed the importance of working together on global issues and supporting international efforts aimed at addressing shared challenges.
The meeting reflected the growing relationship between Nepal and the UAE, which has expanded steadily through economic cooperation, labour partnerships and diplomatic engagement.
On the same day, Khanal also met Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
The two ministers reviewed bilateral relations and discussed opportunities to increase cooperation between Nepal and Armenia in several areas of mutual interest.
According to diplomatic officials, the discussions focused on strengthening friendly ties and identifying new opportunities for collaboration. Both sides emphasized the importance of expanding partnerships that can benefit their countries in the years ahead.
Climate action was among the priorities discussed during the meeting. Nepal and Armenia exchanged views on addressing environmental challenges and supporting sustainable development efforts.
Renewable energy cooperation also formed part of the agenda, with both countries recognizing the importance of clean energy solutions in meeting future development goals.
Information technology was another key topic. The ministers discussed the potential for greater cooperation in digital innovation and technological development.
The two sides also highlighted the value of working together in multilateral forums and international organizations. They agreed that closer coordination on global issues could help advance shared interests and strengthen diplomatic engagement.
The meetings in New York underline Nepal’s efforts to expand international partnerships while addressing development priorities, climate challenges and economic opportunities. They also demonstrate growing interest among partner nations in deepening cooperation with Nepal across a broad range of sectors.
