Institute of Foreign Affairs

About IFA

Conceived as a catalyst body for generating national consensus on foreign policy issues, the Institute of Foreign Affairs also caters to professional training needs of Nepalese officials servicing in foreign affairs offices of the Government of Nepal. As a think tank, IFA delves in research studies on matters of national interest particularly Nepal’s relations and conduct with foreign countries. IFA works with its partner organizations, governmental as well as non-governmental, at home and abroad, to realize its objectives relating to foreign policy issues and its interactions with political, economic, social and cultural aspects. Besides organizing seminars, workshops, meetings and conferences and bringing out relevant publications, it is also engaged in the task of becoming a repository of information on Nepal’s foreign policy issues. Founded as an integral part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1993, it got reconstituted as a semi-autonomous body in the year 2012. Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs heads the board of directors of the institute and the Foreign Secretary represents the ministry as a member to the board.

Objectives

The principal objective of IFA is to develop itself into a repository of knowledge on Nepal’s foreign relations and provide support, as necessary and appropriate, to the government of Nepal, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in imparting professional training to Nepalese foreign service officials and personnel; offering suggestions and recommendations for Foreign policy formulation; undertaking study and research programs and publications on vital issues relating to foreign policy, and updating and compiling historic documents and information on Nepal’s relations with foreign countries.

Activities

  • IFA organizes meetings and talk programs on a regular basis on foreign relations and diplomacy. Themes & topics for discussions of such meetings, including seminars, workshops and conferences, can range from a focused issue to a broader one as per need.
  • IFA is constantly engaged in publication of reports, bulletins, journals and research study papers. It is also making efforts in preparing course curriculum for diplomatic training needs.
  • IFA establish linkages with similar professional organizations including governments, INGOs, NGOs, both at home and abroad, to not only update and acquire knowledge from foreign and domestic experts but also strengthen institute-to-institute relations.
  • It organizes orientations, trainings on foreign relations and diplomacy

 

Funding

Funding for the institute comes from various sources:

  • Grant assistance from the Government of Nepal;
  • Contributions from national individuals and organizations;
  • Contributions from national individuals and organizations;
  • Donations from International Organizations, Foreign Governments or Foreign Agencies/individuals;
  • Income from publications and other sources.

Contact

Address

Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal

E-mail

info@ifa.org.np

Phone

+977-1-4266954 , 977-1-4266955

Governing Body

IFA’s policies and programmes are guided & supervised by a governing body comprising following members:

Hon’ble Minister for Foreign Affairs,Ministry of Foreign AffairsChairman
President, International Relations and Human Rights Committee, Legislature-ParliamentMember
Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign AffairsMember
Former AmbassadorMember
Legal ExpertsMember
International Law ExpertMember
Eminent International Relations Experts (male)Member
Eminent International Relations Experts (female)Member
International relation expert from among the ethnic communitiesMember
Representative from Business CommunityMember
Executive Director, Institute of Foreign AffairsMember-Secretary