Bridging Borders: Dr. Swarnim Wagle, a leading public intellectual, to keynote ANA International Convention in Calgary
Founded in 1983, the Association of Nepalis in the Americas (ANA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering solidarity among the Nepali diaspora across North America. Each year, ANA hosts an international convention that draws thousands of community members from across the continent. As ANA prepares for its 43rd International Convention – scheduled to take place in Calgary, Canada, from August 22 to 24, 2025 – all eyes are on the event’s keynote speaker, Dr. Swarnim Wagle. A distinguished economist, experienced policymaker, and current Member of Nepal’s Federal Parliament, Dr. Wagle is expected to offer valuable insights, informed by both global expertise and national leadership, at one of the most anticipated gatherings of the Nepali diaspora in North America. Widely regarded as one of Nepal’s most accomplished public intellectuals, his background combines academic excellence with broad international experience and a prestigious elected office at home.
Born in the rural district of Gorkha, he holds a BSc in Economics from the London School of Economics, an MPA in International Development from Harvard University, and a PhD in Economics from the Australian National University. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Wagle held influential roles in several global institutions. He served as a Senior Economist at the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in New York, Hanoi, and Colombo. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as the Chief Economic Advisor at the UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific in New York, where he helped guide development policy across 36 countries.
After returning to Nepal in 2014, he joined the National Planning Commission (NPC) – initially as a member and later as Vice-Chair with ministerial rank. During his tenure, he was instrumental in formulating long-term development strategies and coordinating cross-sectoral policies to advance Nepal’s economic growth. One of his defining contributions came in the aftermath of the devastating 2015 earthquake, as co-lead of the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), helping Nepal secure US$4 billion in international pledges for reconstruction.
Now a parliamentarian, Dr. Wagle plays an active role in shaping Nepal’s economic trajectory. In a series of recent addresses, he has emphasized that with good governance being the bedrock, a consensual national agenda around digitalization, clean energy, green industrialization, landscape marketing, and high-value agriculture could accelerate Nepal’s catch-up. At the COP29 climate summit in Baku in November 2024, he called for enhanced transboundary cooperation to address environmental vulnerabilities in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. He argues that leveraging Nepal’s youthful demography, democratic strengths, and diaspora engagement will be key to accelerating transformation. His multi-dimensional approach – combining economic reforms, technological innovation, and institutional integrity – continues to shape conversations about Nepal’s place in the global community of nations.
Dr. Wagle’s Keynote Address (“Bridging Borders”) at the ANA International Convention arrives at a time when diaspora engagement is more vital than ever. As Nepal navigates structural challenges and a rapidly evolving global landscape, professionals, entrepreneurs, and the youth across the diaspora are positioned to contribute through skills, investment, and networks. A visionary orator, Dr. Wagle’s keynote address, scheduled for August 23, is expected to represent a rare combination of local commitment and global perspective, pairing with force Nepal’s development aspirations with vast diasporic solidarity.
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