Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation of Nepal, Badri Prasad Pandey, highlighted the need for regional cooperation to ensure the effective operation of Pokhara and Gautam Buddha International Airports. His remarks came during the Second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference organized by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which commenced in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Pandey underscored the importance of neighboring countries’ support for optimizing the operations of Nepal’s international airports. He stated, “Nepal’s unique terrain and geography present challenges that call for regional collaboration. We believe there is great potential for research and innovation in aviation, and I encourage our neighbors to join hands in establishing regional research and training centers in Nepal.”
Pandey also proposed the establishment of a regional aviation research and training hub in Nepal. He emphasized the need for collaboration in the areas of Air Navigation Services (ANS), search and rescue operations, meteorological services, and air traffic flow management. “I urge ICAO and its member states to invest in building a Research and Training Centre in Nepal, and we are ready to facilitate this initiative,” he added.
The Minister pointed out that both Pokhara and Gautam Buddha International Airports, certified to international standards, are poised to benefit from enhanced regional partnerships. This, he said, reflects Nepal’s dedication to continuous improvements in the aviation sector.
In his address, Pandey also proudly announced Nepal’s achievement in improving aviation safety. “In 2022, Nepal committed to enhancing safety oversight capabilities under the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP). I am pleased to report that we achieved a score of 70 percent, surpassing the global average.”
Further, the Minister shared Nepal’s progress in integrating the Global Aviation Safety Plan into its National Aviation Safety Plan. As a signatory to the Chicago Convention, Nepal is in the process of enacting new laws that will establish a permanent, independent entity for accident investigation, demonstrating the country’s commitment to international aviation standards.
The two-day conference, jointly organized by the Indian government and ICAO, aims to develop a new roadmap for improving civil aviation across the Asia Pacific region. More than 250 delegates from 41 countries are participating in the event, which seeks to enhance cooperation and effectiveness in the region’s aviation sector.
