Advancing Nepal-Korea Tech Diplomacy: IRGDD and KAIT Sign MoU
21st August 2026, Kathmandu
Discover how the International Relations & Global Diplomacy Dialogue (IRGDD) and the Korea Association for AI & ICT Promotion (KAIT) are strengthening Nepal-Korea bilateral relations through technology diplomacy, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation initiatives.
Advancing Nepal-Korea Tech Diplomacy
The International Relations & Global Diplomacy Dialogue (IRGDD), Nepal, and the Korea Association for AI & ICT Promotion (KAIT), Republic of Korea, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for cooperation in technology, artificial intelligence, information and communication technologies, digital transformation, innovation, and related areas of mutual interest.
The MoU was signed virtually, marking an important step in IRGDD’s Technology Diplomacy Agenda and its broader efforts to build substantive international partnerships that connect diplomacy with emerging technologies, innovation ecosystems, knowledge exchange, and economic opportunities.
For IRGDD, through its Technology Diplomacy Agenda, it seeks to facilitate dialogue and cooperation among governments, diplomatic institutions, technology organizations, businesses, knowledge institutions, and other stakeholders on the strategic opportunities and challenges arising from technological transformation.
The partnership builds upon a broader bilateral relationship that has increasingly included technology and innovation alongside traditional areas of cooperation. The Government of Nepal has identified technology among the areas of cooperation with the Republic of Korea, while recent bilateral engagements have also emphasized further cooperation in industry, trade, energy, infrastructure, connectivity and people-to-people relations.
In this context, the IRGDD–KAIT MoU seeks to contribute to a more forward-looking and knowledge-driven dimension of Nepal–Korea relations, where technology becomes not only a sector of cooperation but also an instrument of diplomacy, economic connectivity and institutional partnership.
Speaking on the occasion, Amb. Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal, President of IRGDD, highlighted the significance of the partnership in advancing IRGDD’s Technology Diplomacy Agenda. She expressed confidence that the collaboration would create opportunities for knowledge exchange, institutional cooperation, and meaningful engagement between Nepal and the Republic of Korea.
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Dr. Jeong Ki Kim, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of KAIT, welcomed the partnership and expressed his hope that the MoU would provide a foundation for practical cooperation and exchanges in AI, ICT, digital transformation and innovation between the two countries.
The IRGDD–KAIT partnership thus marks not merely the signing of an institutional agreement, but an effort to position technology and innovation as an emerging bridge between Nepal and the Republic of Korea, contributing to the continued evolution of a longstanding bilateral relationship toward a more digitally connected and future-oriented partnership.
About IRGDD
The International Relations & Global Diplomacy Dialogue (IRGDD) is a Nepal-based independent, non-partisan, non-profit platform focused on advancing international relations, diplomacy, policy dialogue, and strategic cooperation through engagement with governments, diplomatic missions, international organizations, business and professional institutions, academia, development partners, and other stakeholders.
Through its various agendas, including Technology Diplomacy, IRGDD works to create platforms that connect diplomatic engagement with practical cooperation, knowledge exchange, and international partnerships.
About KAIT
The Korea Association for AI & ICT Promotion (KAIT) is a Korean organization working to strengthen the AI and ICT ecosystem through public–private cooperation, industry competitiveness, international cooperation, research, digital talent development and related initiatives. KAIT works to connect policy, industry, and society and supports international partnerships, including cooperation with overseas ICT associations and organizations.
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