26th July 2025, Kathmandu
FAO Nepal actively participated in the Nepal Entrepreneurship Forum 2025, a pivotal event held in Kathmandu. This dynamic gathering brought together influential thought leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors, all united by a commitment to fostering sustainable innovation and inclusive economic growth throughout Nepalese communities.
FAO Nepal Advocates AI-Powered
The forum commenced with an opening address by Chittaranjan Pandey, the Conference Convener, setting the stage for a day of insightful discussions. The momentum continued with an inspiring keynote speech delivered by Prof. Dr. Satyajit Majumdar, Managing Director of TISS Incube Foundation, who provided a comprehensive exploration of the evolving landscape of sustainable entrepreneurship.
A significant highlight of the forum was the address by Mr. Ken Shimizu, FAO Representative for Nepal and Bhutan. Mr. Shimizu illuminated Nepal’s vast and largely untapped potential within the agribusiness sector.
He powerfully emphasized the crucial need for inclusive investments and underscored the critical role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital literacy in effectively narrowing existing development gaps. He further showcased transformative FAO initiatives specifically designed to bolster Nepal’s agrifood system, including the impactful Hand-in-Hand Program, the innovative Digital Village Initiative, and strategic partnerships forged with Nepalese youth. Each of these initiatives, he noted, is strategically paving the way toward a resilient and innovation-driven agrifood system, significantly leveraging the power of AI.
The forum also heard from Mr. Narottam Aryal, President of King’s College, who shared his perspective on the importance of collective action, robust knowledge-sharing, and a unified national vision.
He stressed that these elements are vital to democratize prosperity and, in turn, fuel Nepal’s burgeoning startup ecosystem, ensuring widespread benefits across the nation.
The Nepal Entrepreneurship Forum 2025 served as a crucial platform for dialogue and collaboration, reinforcing the collective commitment to harnessing innovation and technology, particularly AI, to drive sustainable development and inclusive economic growth across Nepal’s diverse sectors.
For more: FAO Nepal Advocates AI-Powered