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🇳🇵 Nepal /Elections & Politics

Nepal to open ambassador posts to public competition for first time

From Kathmandu Post · (5m ago) English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Nepal's government plans to open applications for ambassador posts through open competition for the first time.
  • This move aims to increase transparency in selecting envoys, moving away from traditional political appointments and career diplomat selections.
  • The initiative follows the recent recall of six ambassadors and aims to fill numerous vacant positions, including key diplomatic posts.

The Kathmandu Post is reporting on a significant policy shift within Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For the first time in the nation's history, the government intends to fill ambassadorial positions through an open competitive process. This is a groundbreaking move that signals a commitment to transparency and meritocracy in foreign service appointments.

vacancy notices to appoint ambassadors

— Foreign Ministry officialsThe officials informed The Kathmandu Post about the government's plan to announce vacancy notices for ambassadorial appointments.

Traditionally, Nepal has appointed ambassadors through two main channels: by promoting seasoned officials from within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (career diplomats) or by selecting political appointees trusted by the ruling parties. While the Guidelines on the Appointment of the Ambassadors, 2075 BS, mandate that at least 50% of positions go to career diplomats, this has often been circumvented by successive governments.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has indicated that vacancy notices will be issued soon, though the exact timeline remains uncertain. This initiative, hinted at during a senior management team meeting, aims to ensure that qualified individuals, regardless of their political affiliations, have a chance to represent Nepal abroad. The application process will consider age, experience, educational qualifications, and even extra merits like published works.

some ambassadorial posts will be filled through open competition

— Shisir KhanalThe Foreign Minister announced this intention during a senior management team (SMT) meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This reform comes at a crucial time, with 17 ambassadorial positions becoming vacant, including in vital missions like India, China, and the US. The government's stated aim is to ensure fairness and competence in diplomacy. However, as one retired diplomat cautioned, an open competition alone does not guarantee the selection of the most qualified candidates. The success of this policy will depend on the integrity and fairness of the selection process itself, a point of keen interest for Nepalis seeking a more professional and less politicized foreign service.

alone does not guarantee that qualified people get selected in the process

— a retired diplomatThe retired diplomat offered a cautionary note regarding the effectiveness of the open competition policy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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