Uniting for Global Peace and Prosperity: Lumbini Conference 2024

This coming Thursday marks the start of an auspicious two-day international event dedicated to fostering global harmony and affluence in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The symposium, dubbed “Global Peace for Prosperity,” is the result of collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Honorary Consular Corps Nepal (HCCN).

Distinguished guests, including 18 non-resident ambassadors, high-ranking Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegates, a host of Honorary Consuls and Honorary Consul Generals, authorities from the Lumbini Development Trust, specialists in Buddhist heritage and international relations, will grace the occasion.

The conclave promises to shine a spotlight on a plethora of key topics: the influential soft power of Lumbini, its wealth of cultural treasures, Nepal's attractive investment landscape, and Lumbini's potential as a tourism magnet. Culminating in a unified declaration for peace, this event will serve as a pivotal moment to bring attention to these vital issues.

Scheduled for March 21-22, notable figures such as Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Hit Bahadur Tamang, Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Civil Aviation are among those poised to share insights alongside prominent executives from Investment Board Nepal and Nepal Tourism Board.

Expectations are high that the gathering will serve as a forceful reminder of peace's pivotal role in fostering stability and prosperity both regionally and globally. It's also an opportunity to showcase Nepal's alluring appeal to tourists and investors alike while fostering understanding among nations through cultural interaction and constructive dialogue.

Participants are poised to dive deep into spirited dialogues throughout the conclave, brainstorming new strategies aimed at propagating peace and affluence across various societal strata.

As global conflict intensifies in pockets around the world, this meeting takes on added significance — something that was not lost on Minister Shrestha when he described it as a critical convocation for diplomats, global affairs experts, and policymakers. In light of current world events emphasizing peace’s paramount importance, HCCN highlighted the unique position of Lumbini as not just Nepal's bridge to international engagement but also a sacred site revered by nearly one billion Buddhists worldwide for its unparalleled cultural and spiritual heritage.

During his visit to Lumbini in October 2023, amidst the escalating tensions in Gaza and Ukraine, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a poignant message from the birthplace of Lord Buddha: "At a time when the world grapples with conflict, the choice before humanity is clear. We must embark on the pathway to peace—this is the moment to commit to peaceful resolutions."

This significant gathering has garnered support from key local organizations such as the Nepal Tourism Board, Investment Board Nepal, and the Lumbini Development Trust.

Here are some major planned activities during the conclave:

• Presentation on Investment Opportunities in Nepal and Proposed Nepal Investment Summit
• Presentation on Tourism Opportunities in Nepal
• Visit the Mayadevi Temple, Ashoka Pillar, and Sacred Pond
• Lamp Lightning
• Monastery Visits
• Q & A Sessions