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Nepal's Foreign Ministry Opens Ambassador Applications to Public for First Time

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For the first time, Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has opened applications to the public for ambassadorial positions, introducing a competitive selection process. The ministry has outlined a 15-point qualification criteria, including age, education, and a clean record, with a deadline of June 5 for submissions. This move aims to fill numerous vacant diplomatic missions across various countries and international organizations.

• Currently, 17 Nepali diplomatic missions are vacant, with an additional seven expected to become vacant by the end of August, totaling 24 required appointments.
• The selection process, governed by the "Ambassador Appointment Guidelines, 2018" (amended in 2021 and 2022), will involve internal screening, recommendations to the Council of Ministers, parliamentary hearings, and final appointment by the President.
• Key qualifications include being a Nepali citizen aged 35 or above, holding at least a bachelor's degree, possessing fluency in English, and not holding foreign residency permits or having a criminal record.
• Traditionally, ambassadorial appointments were split between political appointees and career foreign service officials, a system now being challenged by this open application process.
• The ministry is also considering closing some embassies and consulates, including those in Brazil, South Africa, Denmark, and Myanmar.