Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Association of Former Career Ambassadors of Nepal (AFCAN) held an interaction with the newly appointed French Ambassador to Nepal, Virginie Corteval, in Kathmandu on Tuesday.
During the interaction, Ambassador Corteval highlighted the longstanding friendly relations in various sectors between Nepal and France. She added that the year 2025 is important in Nepal-France relations as it marks the 75th anniversary of Maurice Herzog’s historic ascent of Mount Annapurna in 1950.
Discussions also covered climate change, with Ambassador Corteval highlighting Nepal’s vulnerabilities despite being a low-carbon emitter. She applauded Nepal’s strides in human rights, women’s empowerment, and biodiversity, as well as its progress toward graduating from the LDC category by 2026.
She expressed commitment to cooperate with Nepal in graduating from the LDC group by 2026.
Prominent Nepali mountaineer Kalpana Maharjan, who has scaled Mount Everest twice, shared her inspiring journey during the interaction, according to a statement issued by AFCAN.
