Lumbini to host 4th Laureates & Leaders for Children Summit

KATHMANDU: The Lumbini Province Government is set to host the 4th Laureates & Leaders for Children Summit in Lumbini in the second week of March.

The provincial government officials have initiated discussions with development partners to ensure the success of the summit which is expected to play a significant role in promoting international commitment to children’s welfare, sustainable development, and peace. Likewise, it is expected to convey the messages of peace and compassion from Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, to the global community, and also boost tourism in and around Lumbini on the international stage.

The provincial government has included plans to host the three-day summit in its policies and programs for the fiscal year 2023/24. It has also set aside the necessary budget for the event. The event will see participation from Nobel laureates, children peace zone experts, government officials, representatives from various non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders.

Minister for Home Affairs in the Lumbini Province Government, Santosh Kumar Pandey, stated that preliminary preparations for the summit have begun. “The summit will see the participation of Nobel laureates and other national and international figures,” he said, adding: “As the summit is being held in Lumbini, it will disseminate the message of peace, goodwill and compassion, and help in global recognition of Lumbini.”

The primary focus of the summit will be on children’s rights. Suman Ghimire, secretary at the Office of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers, stated that activities such as selecting the event venue, hotel bookings, and preparing invitations have already begun. A 13-member high-level coordination committee, chaired by Chief Minister Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary, has been formed to ensure the success of the event.

Treasurer of Lumbini Development Trust, Siddhi Charan Bhattarai, expressed the trust’s commitment to the summit. “We are treating the event, which will see participation of national and international figures including Nobel Peace Prize winners,  are our own event,” he said.

The private sector in the province is also looking forward to the event. “We have quality hotels and related infrastructure to accommodate high-profile visitors,” Govinda Gyawali, president of the Lumbini Hotel Association, said. “The event will play a significant role in promoting Lumbini on the global platform.”

Ramu Joshi, executive chairman of Tourism Development Council Lumbini, said that a dedicated secretariat will be established in Lumbini to streamline preparations for the summit after the Tihar festival.