The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Nepal marked its 30th anniversary this week with a commemorative event held under the theme “Together for 30 Years: A Journey of Trust and Cooperation.” 

The celebration, hosted at Hotel Yak & Yeti, brought together high-level officials from the Nepali government and the Republic of Korea, development partners, diplomatic representatives, and key stakeholders to reflect on three decades of development collaboration.

In his opening remarks, Mooheon Kong, Country Director of KOICA Nepal, highlighted the agency’s journey since its inception. He noted that KOICA’s work has been guided by five core principles: people, peace, prosperity, planet, and partnership.

“Over the past 30 years, KOICA has implemented 160 development projects across Nepal, mobilized more than 2,800 volunteers, and directly impacted over 2,300 individuals—with broader benefits reaching millions,” Kong said.

“Our contributions span across vital sectors such as education, healthcare, governance, agriculture, and rural development,” he said, adding that they look forward to the continued partnership, all aligned with Nepal’s national priorities.

The commemorative event showcased key milestones and achievements of the KOICA Nepal team, with a special video capturing powerful stories from beneficiaries across the country. These stories illustrated KOICA’s commitment to community-led development and long-term capacity building, particularly in underserved regions.

The event also served as a platform to reaffirm and expand bilateral cooperation. A symbolic exchange of tokens of appreciation between KOICA Nepal and the Ministry of Finance reflected mutual respect and a shared commitment to the ongoing partnership. During the week, two major project agreements were signed, each valued at USD 10 million.

The first agreement was for Phase II of the Value Chain Development of Fruits and Vegetables (VCDP) in Lumbini Province, which was signed between KOICA and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), represented by Kong and Hari Bahadur KC, Joint Secretary of MoALD. This initiative aims to focus on boosting smallholder farmer incomes by improving productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, and increasing market access.

The second agreement was for the Polytechnic Institute for Skilled Workforce Development in Sudurpaschim Province, which was signed between KOICA and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), represented by Country Director Kong and Shiva Kumar Sapkota, Joint Secretary of MoEST. It aims to strengthen technical and vocational education in Sudurpaschim Province, equipping youth with skills needed for employment and sustainable livelihoods.

In addition, KOICA Nepal signed a USD 29 million grant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Ministry of Finance on August 20 for the development of the Gandaki Global Institute of Technology (GGIT). Scheduled to run from 2025 to 2030, the project is envisioned as a flagship initiative to modernize and elevate technical education in Gandaki Province.

In his closing remarks, Woochan Chang, Director of KOICA Headquarters’ South West Asia Team, expressed gratitude for the long-standing collaboration with Nepal. He reiterated KOICA’s continued commitment to inclusive and sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of innovation and partnership in shaping a resilient future.

As KOICA Nepal celebrates its 30-year journey, the event not only honored past achievements but also set the tone for a deeper, forward-looking partnership—anchored in mutual trust, shared goals, and the collective aspiration for a brighter future.