KOICA Celebrates 30 Years of Partnership Nepal, Commits $29M for New Projects
22nd August 2025, Kathmandu
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is marking a significant milestone, celebrating 30 years of a strong development partnership with Nepal.
KOICA Nepal partnership
A special commemorative event, titled “Together for 30 Years: A Journey of Trust and Cooperation,” was held in Kathmandu, highlighting the deep-rooted collaboration and shared vision for Nepal’s future.
A major highlight of the event was the signing of three new project agreements, representing a collective investment of USD 29 million. This funding reflects KOICA’s renewed commitment and strategic priorities for fostering sustainable development in Nepal in the years ahead.
New Agreements to Fuel Development in Key Sectors
The first of the three agreements was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of the Gandaki Institute of Technology. Signed by Ghanshyam Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, and Park Tae-young, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nepal, this USD 9 million project will be implemented from 2025 to 2030, aiming to boost technical education and capacity in the region.
This was followed by two Records of Discussion (RoD) for new initiatives. The first is the second phase of the Value Chain Development Project in Lumbini Province, a USD 10 million initiative scheduled for 2025 to 2031. It was signed by Dr. Hari Bahadur K.C., Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and Mooheon Kong, KOICA Country Director, reinforcing efforts to strengthen the agricultural sectors.
The second new project is the Establishment of the Sudurpaschim Polytechnic Institute, also with a budget of USD 10 million and a timeframe from 2025 to 2030. This agreement, signed by Shiva Kumar Sapkota, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and Mr. Mooheon Kong, will focus on enhancing vocational training and skills development in the far-western region.
A Legacy of Trust and Shared Progress
Speaking at the event, KOICA Nepal Country Director Mooheon Kong emphasized the agency’s long-standing commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in Nepal. He highlighted KOICA’s focus on building local capacity and fostering innovation across critical sectors like education, health, agriculture, and governance.
The sentiments were echoed by Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bhrigu Dhungana, who praised KOICA’s contributions and reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to strengthening the partnership. Ambassador Park Tae-young noted that KOICA’s three-decade journey in Nepal symbolizes the mutual trust and shared progress between the two nations, describing the new agreements as “stepping stones toward deeper cooperation.”
Mayor Dhana Raj Acharya of Pokhara Metropolitan City, attending as the Chief Guest, congratulated KOICA and lauded its impactful interventions. He assured the Government of Nepal’s readiness to collaborate closely to ensure the long-term sustainability and reach of these programs.
Three Decades of Impactful Collaboration
Since it entered Nepal in 1991, KOICA has been a cornerstone development partner, supporting vital sectors. Its efforts have included deploying nearly 3,000 volunteers and providing fellowship programs to over 2,200 Nepalese officials, significantly contributing to human resource development.
Following Nepal’s designation as a KOICA priority country in 2010, the agency’s support has grown significantly, surpassing USD 200 million by 2025. This enduring partnership, underpinned by a recent framework agreement on development cooperation, continues to build a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous Nepal.
For more: KOICA Nepal partnership
