Kailash Raj Pokharel is the Ambassador of Nepal to Australia. He has extensive experience working in various national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations. Born in Okhaldhunga, he progressed from civil service to international organizations and demonstrated his competence effectively in both national and international arenas.
His family consists of his wife, one son, and a daughter-in-law. His son and daughter-in-law are medical doctors serving in India, while his wife is with him in Australia.
The following are the key points from a conversation between His Excellency Pokharel and Kedar Kumar Rayamajhi, the editor and publisher of Bachan News:
You have over 40 years of experience in national and international fields, including government roles. What was this 40-year journey like? What kinds of difficulties and challenges did you face?
Reflecting on my experience, both in government and national and international areas, I have gained significant learning and experiences from working with international individuals. It appears that one cannot simply stop learning; the more one learns, the more one continues to encounter new knowledge and experiences. Throughout my 40-year career, I learned what I knew and also absorbed what I didn’t know. There was an exchange of knowledge. There were challenges in teaching and learning, in doing and guiding, but these challenges, experiences, and learnings have helped me refine and develop myself further.
You don’t work hard to reach a specific point; instead, you pursue your goals. Along the way, you reach a certain level. Coming from a humble background, I had the opportunity to work in various organizations, and through those opportunities, I have honed my skills and improved myself to reach where I am today, which fills me with pride.
When did you ever think you would reach the peak of success?
No, I never had such thoughts. Initially, just securing a government job was a big deal. I entered the government service at a young age and worked within the system. I never imagined I would reach this level. Even now, I’m glad to be working in my own field.
How long have you been serving as Nepal’s ambassador to Australia? Could you briefly share your prior service experience?
I’ve been serving as Nepal’s ambassador to Australia for 21 months. Before this, from 2015 to 2019, I served as a counselor at Nepal’s embassy in the United States. Prior to that, I worked for nearly 10 years at the Nepal International Coordination Center, a foreign aid organization that manages grants and loans from international donors. I also worked at the World Bank in the US for 2 years. Before working for international organizations, I worked in Nepal. In addition, I worked at the United Nations. In total, I have served my country for about 10 years abroad and 30 years in Nepal.
Many Nepalese have come to Australia for higher education. Approximately how many students are there, and how do you find their situation?
According to the Australian census, there are about 122,000 Nepalese in Australia. However, the overall population is estimated to be around 150,000. Of those, nearly half are students scattered across different states in Australia. The largest population resides in Sydney, followed by Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, among other states. In general, their situation is relatively good. Middle-class families may face more struggles and challenges, such as less time for studies, and some even experience depression. On the other hand, some have achieved notable success.
What services does the embassy offer to students who come here to study? Are there any specific provisions or plans? What kind of initiatives are taken when non-residents bring problems to the embassy?
The embassy treats all Nepalese equally, regardless of whether they hold Australian citizenship, permanent residency, student visas, or other types of visas. Even though there are different laws for Nepalese holding Australian passports, the embassy plays a parental role for all Nepalese in Australia. We provide the services and facilities that we are required to offer and are capable of providing. We also offer support to those outside our jurisdiction and scope through cooperation with various organizations.
What kind of issues do Nepalese typically bring to the embassy?
Many Nepalese approach the embassy primarily for passport-related matters. Additionally, there are requests for certifying documents (to enable them to carry out paperwork in Nepal without needing to be physically present) and for obtaining approvals. We collaborate with various organizations to assist Nepalese in need. If there are any legal issues related to their studies in Australia, we offer assistance within our capacity. We strive to ensure that no Nepali faces unnecessary difficulties.
What kind of support can Nepali students and other individuals, even those with permanent residency, expect from the embassy?
The primary service provided by the embassy is passport-related assistance. Although the embassy was established in 2007 and resources have remained limited, the Nepali population in Australia has increased 30-fold. Despite this, we are making efforts to streamline our services. Given the high demand, we are working towards offering services without the need for appointments and have implemented an appointment system for more efficient service. We’ve transitioned from cash-based transactions to electronic transactions for better service. Previously, there were issues with phone communication, but that has now been resolved.
We offer small but significant services, and we understand that some students face financial challenges. While we don’t have policies or resources to provide direct financial assistance, we do liaise with different organizations to provide support when such issues arise. Given the significant increase in the Nepali population in Australia, we are considering advising the Nepalese government to modify policies. While there is a fund for labor-related issues, there isn’t one for students, but the increasing number of students may prompt us to consider this in the future.
You are serving Nepal and Nepalese by gaining higher education here. What advice, suggestions, and inspiration do you give to students who come from Nepal to Australia for higher education?
Families should allow students to go abroad for higher education without any hesitation. Once abroad, whether they decide to stay, return to Nepal, or choose another path, many Nepalese show their love for their country by investing in Nepal in various ways. Opportunities for individuals and families are natural pursuits. The state should strive to increase opportunities within the country, encourage citizens to stay in Nepal, and create an environment that brings back those who have left. In the long term, we must build our country ourselves. Living abroad alone does not build a country. By balancing both sides, individuals can find their opportunities, acquire knowledge, skills, education, and wealth, while the state creates opportunities and an environment for utilizing them. Overall, this would benefit everyone.
Moving on, can you share some insights from your service in Nepal’s government, your experiences working in the US and Japan, and what you’ve learned?
Experience helps shape a person. It would be good to apply that experience to improve the country. I’ve focused on using my knowledge and experiences for the betterment of the country.
How do you feel about the various experiences you’ve gained? What does life seem like to you based on these experiences?
Life is more enjoyable when approached positively, and it’s a struggle. There’s an endless amount to learn. We only manage to learn a small portion of it. Experiencing both joy and sorrow in life, we must strive to contribute something to society and the country.
You’ve served as an ambassador for 21 months now. You’ve been perceived as more popular than during your previous tenure. Could you briefly describe your experience?
Everyone has their own perspectives, circumstances, and constraints. Integrity and a sense of service are essential. I’ve worked with a strong sense of service, especially for students who are my primary clients. I’ve worked with the desire to assist them and minimize any challenges they face. This sense of service may be the reason for my success.
Could you also briefly describe your colleagues?
My colleagues are highly supportive, dedicated, and hardworking. They have sacrificed time with their families to provide service. Although our team is small, they work diligently. I greatly appreciate their efforts and am very satisfied.
What are your plans for retired life?
After my tenure, I plan to return to Nepal and enjoy the local landscapes and culture. I intend to spend the remaining time in community and family engagements.
Is there anything you would like to share from your life experiences?
Life is precious, so let’s cherish it. Maintain positive thinking and stay in touch with family. Don’t view life as full of hardships; instead, think positively. Life brings ups and downs, but we should keep making efforts.
Full introduction of His Excellency Ambassador Kailash Raj Pokharel
His Excellency Kailash Raj Pokharel has a vast career in international affairs, economic diplomacy, foreign aid, trade, investment, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. He has also worked at esteemed international organizations such as the World Bank in Washington, DC, the United Nations in East Timor, and UNIDO in Tokyo.
His 40-year-long career began in 1987 as an officer in Nepal’s Ministry of Industry, where he engaged in industrial and investment promotion activities. He worked in various positions at Nepal’s Ministry of Finance for about 25 years, focusing on budget, revenue, and foreign aid.
He contributed to reforms in the government’s budgeting system, the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the national budget formulation, particularly in infrastructure and education. He served as Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Finance for nearly a decade, acting as a chief aid coordinator and negotiator with various international donors. Pokharel led the Nepal Portfolio Performance Review (NPPR) as the National Coordinator, overseeing top monitoring and performance improvement forums for projects funded by foreign aid.
Pokharel’s international exposure began in 1992 in Tokyo, Japan, where he worked as an investment promotion officer at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). In 2000, he served for over two years in the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), working on civil administration development.
From 2004 to 2006, he served as an Advisor to the Executive Director on the World Bank Board of Directors in Washington, DC, USA. From 2015 to 2019, he worked as an Economic Advisor at the Nepali Embassy in Washington, DC, United States, where he engaged in bilateral economic cooperation, trade, and tourism programs with the United States.
Pokharel retired as a senior official from Nepal’s civil service in September 2020 and was appointed ambassador in June 2022.
Throughout his long career, Pokharel has visited over 46 countries across all continents. He has also published numerous articles in major Nepali print and online media.
Pokharel won a gold medal in Economics and earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, and a bachelor’s degree in Law.
He is married to banker Basudha Nepal and has a son, Ankit Pokharel, and a daughter-in-law, Marina Regmi, who serve as medical doctors in India.
Publisher and Editor Kedar Kumar Rayamajhi of Bachan News with his excellency Kailash Raj Pokharel.
