This combination photo shows Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi (right) upon landing at Kathmandu airport on Thursday afternoon to participate in the Asia-Pacific Summit. The summit is being held from November 30 to December 3. Defense Minister Ishwar Pokharel welcomed them. Photo: Keshab Thoker/Republica

KATHMANDU, Nov 30: Dignitaries from various countries have started arriving in Kathmandu to participate in the Asia Pacific Summit 2018. This is set to be one of the biggest international events in Nepal, drawing over 500 distinguished guests from 45 various countries. 

While Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi have already arrived in Kathmandu, other VVIPs are expected to arrive on Friday and Saturday. Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokharel welcomed Hun Sen and Suu Kyi upon their arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. 

The two leaders attended various functions and held meetings with their counterparts and other leaders in Kathmandu. Former prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal hosted a dinner reception in honor of the visiting dignitaries on Thursday evening.

According to the organizer, Universal Peace Federation (UPF), over 500 special guests from 45 various countries are participating in the Summit organized with the slogan “Addressing Critical Challenges of Our Time: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values”. The Summit will have a total 1,500 participants from countries across the Asia-Pacific region. 

UPF founder Dr Hak Ja Han Moon arrived on Wednesday, according to the organizer. 

Vice President of the Republic of Philippines Maria Leonor Robredo, former prime minister of India HD Deve Gowda, former vice president of Afghanistan Karim Khalili, Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia Prak Sokhonn, former prime minister of Pakistan Yousaf Raza Gillani, and former president of Colombia Andrés Pastrana Arango are among those attending the Summit. 

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, former president of Marshall Islands Christopher J Loeak, former president of Vanuatu Ati George Sokamanu and former president of Kiribati Anote Tong are likewise among those participating in the Summit being hosted from November 30 to December 2. 

The Summit is expected to be an event of high importance in terms of the world geopolitical scenario, and in bringing a strategic shift in the positioning of Asian nations, according to the organizer.

Prime Minister KP Oli, former prime ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal and House of Representatives Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara will be delivering their speeches on various topics at the Summit. 

The global participants will give their opinions on various topics including peace, development, good governance and the role of parliamentarians, the present challenges of climate change, the role of media, peace initiatives and peace and projects around the world, and social issues including strengthening marriage and family. 

Likewise, the Summit will also incorporate issues related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Summit will conclude on December 2 issuing a Kathmandu Declaration for peace and cooperation.