KATHMANDU, Dec 1: The Asia Pacific Summit 2018, which is one of the biggest international events being held in Nepal in recent years, commences amidst a special function in Kathmandu on Saturday. Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli will inaugurate the two-day Summit at 9 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency hotel.
According to the organizer, Universal Peace Federation (UPF), the Summit will have a total of 1,500 participants from countries across the Asia-Pacific region. Over 500 special guests from 45 various countries including heads of state and government from seven countries have arrived in Kathmandu to participate in the Summit. This is the first extended international summit here after the fourth BIMSTEC Summit held on August 30-31.
Organized around the theme “Addressing Critical Challenges of Our Time: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values”, the Summit will conclude on December 2, issuing a Kathmandu Declaration for peace and cooperation.
Security in Kathmandu Valley has been beefed up in view of the Summit, as senior leaders from Asia Pacific countries continue to arrive.
President of Samoa Afioga Tuimalealiifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, President of Tuvalu Lakoba Taeia Italeni, President of Nauru Baron Waqa, former president of Palau Johnson Toribiong, former vice president of Iran Hassan Ghafoori Fard, former president of the Marshall Islands Kessai Note, another former president of the Marshall Islands Christopher J Loeak, former president of Vanuatu Ati George Sokamanu and former president of Kiribati Anote Tong have already arrived.
Former vice president of Afghanistan Karim Khalili, Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia Prak Sokhonn and former prime minister of Pakistan Yousaf Raza Gillani, among others, arrived in Kathmandu on Friday.
The global participants will discuss various issues in international affairs including peace, development, good governance and the role of parliamentarians to address critical issues of global peace, the challenges posed by climate change, the role of media, peace initiatives and projects around the world, and social issues including strengthening marriage and the family.