Former President Bhandari to Visit China

KATHMANDU: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari is scheduled to leave for Xiongan, Hebei Province, China, next Thursday to participate in the Global Governance Forum.

The forum, scheduled to take place from October 23 to 25, will feature former President Bhandari as a distinguished guest, where she is expected to address the gathering.

The central theme of the forum is “Rebuilding Trust and Cooperation in a Changing World: Reforming and Strengthening Global Governance.”

According to the organisers, parallel sessions, panel discussions and roundtable meetings will be held on October 24 and 25. Discussions will focus on safeguarding the United Nations-centred international system, promoting multilateralism, reforming peacekeeping operations to meet contemporary challenges, and strengthening the role of developing countries in international relations.

Reforming global economic and financial governance, revitalising the World Trade Organization (WTO), promoting regional monetary cooperation and enhancing the role of Global South countries in international trade will also be among the key topics.

The forum will further address climate change, green and low-carbon development, sustainable development, and efforts to make global climate governance more just and equitable.

Emerging challenges related to artificial intelligence (AI), cyberspace and outer space governance will also feature in the discussions. Participants are expected to examine the safe use of AI, AI governance principles and regulatory coordination between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The forum will also host sessions on dialogue among civilisations, cultural diversity, human rights governance, humanitarian assistance and the role of civil society.