Kathmandu: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung has emphasized the critical issue of the ‘digital divide’ and its impact on global development. Highlighting the necessity of bridging this gap, he addressed the need for equitable access to the internet and information technology, which is closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goals.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Gurung shared insights from his participation in four international IT conferences held in Nepal, Japan, Switzerland, and China. He advocated for investment in Nepal’s information technology sector, pointing out the lack of physical infrastructure and skilled human resources required to advance technologies such as the ‘5G’ network. He called for international support to develop Nepal’s IT sector.
Minister Gurung proposed the establishment of a data center in the cooler regions of Nepal’s mid-hill highway, highlighting the natural climate benefits for data storage without additional cooling needs. He suggested that this initiative would position Nepal as an IT hub. Furthermore, he discussed Nepal’s digital literacy campaign in 35,000 secondary schools and sought support from international organizations like the International Telecommunications Union.
The Minister also spoke about Nepal’s ambition to launch its own satellites, revealing that necessary policy frameworks are being developed, and a satellite orbital slot has been secured. At the ‘World AI Conference 2025’ in Shanghai, he engaged in discussions on the global governance of AI, noting China’s emphasis on preventing a unilateral use of AI that could widen the gap between rich and poor nations.
Minister Gurung stated that Nepal’s Digital Framework aims to incorporate AI in various sectors such as agriculture, health, tourism, and disaster management. He shared that Nepal prioritizes e-governance, data centers, and knowledge parks, drawing lessons from China’s IT-driven development.
He affirmed the importance of stable governance for long-term development, acknowledging that Nepal lags behind China in IT innovation. The Ministry is drafting an AI policy with plans to finalize it within the current fiscal year. He emphasized infrastructure development and stable governance as key to transforming Nepal into an IT hub.
The Government Integrated Office Management System (GIOMS) is highlighted as a critical tool for achieving e-governance. Minister Gurung urged all government levels to connect with GIOMS to enhance governance, service delivery, and revenue collection.
Minister Gurung’s recent international engagements included the 34th APTT Wireless Group meeting in Kathmandu, the Asia-Pacific Telecommunication Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo, the ‘World Summit on the Information Society Plus 20 High-Level Event’ in Geneva, and the ‘World AI Conference’ in Shanghai.