It is my great pleasure to write the president’s message for the Milan Magazine 2024, published on the occasion of the 51st Annual Function of JAAN. The main objective of JAAN is to promote friendship and mutual understanding between Nepal and Japan, exchange the knowledge and skills acquired in Japan, and serve as a center of experts. The Milan Magazine also acts as a medium to promote friendship between Nepal and Japan.
The year 2024 has been a special year for JAAN. We celebrated the 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee) of JAAN and organized an International Seminar on “Human Resource Development for Nation Building: Best Practices, Challenges, and Lessons Learned from Japan”. For the first time in the history of JAAN, the Rt Honorable president of Nepal, Mr. Ram Chandra Poudel, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The Rt. Honorable president inaugurated both the 50th Annual Function and the International Seminar with a special ceremony. Additionally, we also felicitated our past presidents and some distinguished members during the Annual Function for their invaluable contribution to JAAN.
We also had the privilege of courtesy meeting with Director General of JICA Headquarter (South Asia Department) during his visit to Nepal. Furthermore, I was interviewed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Japan, regarding Nepal Japan friendship, my experience in Japan, and my present role and responsibilities in fostering this friendship, which was published on the MOFA’s website.
As the Secretary General of JICA Alumni Association of SAARC Countries (JAAFSC), I have been actively leading JAAFSC activities across the SAARC region. This year, we successfully conducted an International Seminar and the 13th JAAFSC meeting in Bhutan, where we also had a courtesy meeting with the Honorable Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bhutan. Additionally, I am humbled and honored that JAAN members unanimously elected me as the President of JAAN for a fourth term, and encouraged me to further enhance efforts to promote friendship between Japan, Nepal, and the SAARC countries.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to H. E. the Ambassador of Japan to Nepal for his continuous valuable support to JAAN, and active participation in JAAN activities. I am also deeply thankful to the Chief Representative, JICA Nepal, for his and JICA’s kind support in our programs. I would like to thank all the concerned officials of the Embassy of Japan, JICA Nepal, the Government of Nepal, and all JAAN members for their unwavering support for conducting JAAN activities. I look forward to receiving the same level of cooperation in the days to come.
I am also grateful to JICA Officials and Alumni Members across the SAARC region for their cordial support in JAAFSC activities. My special thanks to the JICA Head Office, South Asia Department for their continued support in JAAN and JAAFSC activities. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all Executive Committee Members for their sincere efforts in contributing to JAAN’s mission.
Lastly, I appreciate the efforts of the Editorial Board and all the article writers for their valuable contribution in making MILAN Magazine 2024 a success. I hope JAAN will receive continuous support from all the concerned in its activities to further strengthen the good relation between Nepal and Japan in the future.
Thank you.
Dr. Ram Chandra Bhusal
President
JICA Alumni Association of Nepal (JAAN)