KATHMANDU, Nepal – August 3, 2025

The Policy Dialogue on Automobile and Better Mobility 2025, organized by the Nepal Automobiles Association (NASA Nepal) on 2-3 August 2025 at Royal Tulip Kathmandu, concluded successfully with the participation of 93 distinguished national and international experts.

During the event, the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, H.E. Devendra Dahal, expressed his appreciation to NASA Nepal, stating that the organization is accomplishing tasks even the government has not been able to undertake. He commended NASA Nepal’s role in connecting stakeholders from both Nepal and abroad and in persistently advocating for better mobility solutions. Minister Dahal further informed that the formulation of the Road Safety Act is in its final stage and affirmed the government’s commitment to prioritize road safety in the coming days.

The keynote speakers included Mr. Sushil Babu Dhakal, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Chairperson of the Asia Pacific Road Safety Observatory (headquartered in Manila, Philippines); Mr. Greig Craft, President of the FIA Asia-Pacific Region II, Vice President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), Founding President of the Automobile Association of Vietnam, and Founder of AIP Foundation; Ms. Ranjit Kaur Virk, Secretary General of the Federation of Indian Automobile Associations and the Western India Automobile Association; and Dr. K.C. Vohra, Director of the School of Automotive, NAMTECH India.

Mr. Govinda Bhattarai, World Council Member of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), shared his belief that the dialogue marks the beginning of a new chapter to make Nepal’s automobile sector more reliable, professional, and globally recognized. He emphasized transforming it into a significant socio-economic and political agenda. He also informed that the conclusions from this dialogue would be presented at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Road Safety Conference in Manila, Philippines.

During the “Informative Session” on the first day, Joint Secretary Mr. Sushil Babu Dhakal presented information regarding programs in the Asia Pacific region from the Observatory’s perspective. Nepal Automobiles Dealers’ Association (NADA) Executive Committee Member Mr. Kapil Shivakoti presented on “Vehicle Import, Production, Employment and Contribution to the Economy in Nepal.” Executive Secretary of NASA Foundation Nepal, Mr. Subas Bhattarai, delivered a presentation on UN conventions related to automobiles, transport, and road safety, and their relevance to Nepal.

In the Political Commitment Session, a panel discussion was held among former Minister and Member of the House of Representatives and Coordinator of the Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Mobility Nepal, Mr. Yogesh Bhattarai; Member of the National Assembly, Ms. Garima Shah; Member of the Lumbini Provincial Assembly, Ms. Nima Giri; and Member of the Karnali Provincial Assembly, Ms. Santoshi Shahi. The political leaders expressed their commitments regarding current and future initiatives from their respective spheres to promote mobility and the automobile sector.

In the “Brainstorming with International Speakers” session, Mr. Greig Craft spoke about two-wheeler safety, helmet use, and road safety in Asia. Ms. Ranjit Kaur Virk discussed sustainable tourism in South Asia, including IDP (International Driving Permit), CDP (Carnet de Passages), and cross-border connectivity. Dr. Vohra shared insights into efforts to enhance safety in the automotive sector. Discussions also included activities in Nepal and further areas to be addressed in the future.

During the “Safer Mobility” session, Dr. Bhagawati Sedhai presented on “Motorcyclist Safety and Youth Mobility.” Senior Consultant from the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr. Rabindra Baskota, and CTO of Kathmandu Podway, Mr. Parivesh Parajuli, shared relevant information from their respective domains.

Dr. Puspa Raj Pant, Research Fellow at the University of the West of England and a road transport researcher, made an online presentation on “Road Classification, Public Transportation, and Vehicle Certification in the UK.”

In the “Innovative Session,” Assistant Professors Mr. Sirpa Shrestha and Mr. Gokarna Paudel from the School of Engineering, Kathmandu University, along with Assistant Professor Mr. Lochan Kendra Devkota from Thapathali Campus, Tribhuvan University; CEO of Telematics Pvt. Ltd. Mr. Atish Gaire; and Managing Director of Drone Hub Nepal, Mr. Prabin Bhattarai, discussed academic and innovative activities in their respective fields.

In the “Sustainable Mobility” session, Mr. Prem Lal Tamang, a Ph.D. scholar at the University of Malaya; General Secretary of Nepal Cycle Society and urban planner Mr. Rakesh Maharjan; and environmental activist Mr. Sanjay Pokhrel focused on electric vehicles, cycling, waterways in Nepal, and their safety aspects.

Chairperson of the Nepal Engineering Council, Prof. Dr. Padma Bahadur Shahi, presented an informative paper on “Comparative Study of Nepal’s Geography, Population, Roads, and Transport.” Under the Technical Session, Mr. Ekaraj Subedi presented on the “Challenges and Opportunities of Ride-sharing in Nepal,” and NASA Nepal Secretary Mr. Santosh Neupane presented on the “International Driving Permit (IDP) and UN Resolutions.”

Other notable speakers included Executive Member of the National Sports Council Mr. Subarna Shrestha, Deputy Mayor of Mithila Municipality Ms. Sunita Singh Budhathoki, Former Chairperson of Nepal Auto Mechanics Business Association Mr. Thakur Prasad Neupane, and Coordinator of NASA Foundation Nepal Mr. Krishna Singh Basnet, among others.

Distinguished participants also included Lumbini Provincial Assembly Member Ms. Yamuna Roka Tamang, Karnali Provincial Assembly Member Ms. Indra Kumari Shahi, General Secretary of YCL Nepal Mr. Ganesh Shahi, Senior Vice President of NASA Nepal Prof. Dr. Buland Thapa, President of Koshi Automobiles Association Mr. Prakash Kapuri, General Secretary of Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce Mr. Marsal Rathore, and Rotarian Mr. Nugal Anand Vaidya.

On the same occasion, the National Road Safety Award and Certificate of Appreciation were conferred upon Traffic Campaigner Mr. Shekhar Chandra Rai, in recognition of his significant contributions to the road safety sector. The award was handed over by Minister Mr. Devendra Dahal. The award is presented to individuals or institutions that have made notable contributions to road safety.

Furthermore, NASA Nepal announced the establishment of a Motoring Academy and the launch of Evision Nepal to enhance road safety efforts in the country. The campaigns were formally inaugurated by Minister Dahal and other distinguished guests present at the event.

Participants included professionals and stakeholders from governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in road transport and the automobile sector, representatives from local municipalities, academicians and students from engineering institutions, and entrepreneurs from the automotive industry.

NASA Nepal expressed its belief that this dialogue would serve as a foundational step toward enhancing the credibility, professionalism, and global reach of Nepal’s automobile sector, while also establishing it as a key socio-economic and political agenda. NASA also emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts with academic and professional institutions in Nepal, beginning with this dialogue.