Ban Ki-moon – General Secretary of the United Nations will be visiting Nepal on 28th of April. The UN general was formerly scheduled to visit Nepal in March but was postponed due to unknown reasons. This visit comes in relation to Lumbini Development of Nepal. The national committee behind the Lumbini Development project informed about Ban Ki-moon’s visit after their meeting in capital today.
Prachanda’s press Coordinator Santosh Poudel informed to the media regarding the visit of UN General Secretary. Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachnada) holds the Chairman and convenor of Greater Lumbini Development National Steering Committee formed by Baburam Bhattrai lead government to develop Lumbini. Last year in Novemeber Prachanda had met UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon and sought his help to develop Lumbini. Ban Ki-moon visit to Nepal is scheduled for the same prospect. Ban Ki-moon had agreed to provide leadership role for development of Lumbini then.
All other details on Ban Ki-moon’s visit are yet to be revealed, however it’s known that the government has fixed a special programme to be held on April 28 in Lumbini while his visit.
The ambitious US $3 billion project of transforming Lumbini from Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (APEC), a Hong Kong based NGO, of which Prachanda serves as a vice-chairman had run into controversies earlier. Ban Ki-moon last visited Nepal in 2008 when Prachands himself was in the Prime Ministerial post of the country (-see Image above).
Nepal that has declared 2012 as a year to visit Lumbini is expecting significant visitors to the holy birth place of Gautam Budhha. United Nations has provided a great support in peace process of Nepal. Ban Ki-moon’s involvement and support for Lumbini project would be really beneficial is much appreciated.
Wish Success of Visit Lumbini 2012!
Images via AP