Kathmandu– Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Dr. Bishwanath Poudel has participated in the 95th Annual Meeting of the ‘Bank for International Settlements (BIS); held in Basel, Switzerland. The meeting was held from June 27 to 29, 2025.
Established in 1930, the BIS is an international financial institution that currently has 63 central banks as members.
Established with the aim of maintaining monetary and financial stability worldwide, the organization has been playing an important role in promoting cooperation between central banks, developing the financial system, and maintaining financial stability.
The meeting was attended by governors and high-ranking officials of central banks from BIS member countries and various countries around the world.
During the meeting, Governor Poudel participated in interactive programs on ‘Closing the Gaps in ‘CPMI Emerging Markets and Developing Economie-Bridging Gaps: Financial Inclusion, Regional Integration and Cross-Border Payments’ and ‘BIS Innovation Hub Seminar: AI and Safety’.
The program discussed the achievements and challenges faced by central banks in cross-border payment systems, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in central banks, the challenges it may pose to the banking system, and the policy measures that central banks should adopt to address them.
Governor Dr. Poudel also participated in an interactive program on ‘Regulation and Competitiveness’ at the meeting. At the annual meeting, BIS General Manager Augustin Carstens released the annual report, while Professor Maurice Obstfeld presented a working paper on ‘The International Monetary Systems: A Fork in the Road’.
During the annual meeting, Governor Dr. Poudel met with BIS General Manager Augustin Carstens and also met with senior officials of the BIS Banking Department, including representatives led by Luis Bengocha, Head of the Department.
The meeting discussed issues such as gold purchase for diversification of foreign exchange reserve investment and possible collaboration with Nepal Rastra Bank to increase returns from foreign exchange reserve management by investing in new instruments available in the global market. In addition, discussions were held on the necessary collaboration for additional investment opportunities to manage foreign exchange reserves safely, profitably and effectively.
The meeting also saw a meeting between Governor Dr. Poudel and Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra. The meeting discussed ways to further expand the relationship between the two central banks and enhance bilateral cooperation between the two central banks in the coming days, facilitate the payment system, and develop the capacity of human resources.
During the meeting, Governor Dr. Poudel and People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng also met. During the meeting, discussions were held on bilateral cooperation between the two central banks, continued collaboration to make banking transactions and payment systems smooth and effective.
Governor Dr. Poudel was accompanied by Govinda Prasad Nagila, Director of the Banking and Financial Institutions Regulation Division, and Sharan Kumar Adhikari, Director of the Governor’s Office and Secretary to the Board of Directors.
