KATHMANDU: The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has signed two memorandums of understanding (MoU) with South Korean partners to strengthen trekking safety and cooperation.

One agreement, signed with a South Korean safety technology alliance represented by IBZ Company, aims to assess the feasibility of introducing the AI-powered Edgetrek Digital Safety System to establish a mountain tourism information, tracking and safety network in Nepal.

The agreement was signed by TAAN General Secretary Sonam Gyaljen Sherpa and IBZ Chief Executive Officer Kim Soo-do. Under the partnership, TAAN will coordinate with government agencies, trekking stakeholders and member agencies to evaluate the system’s reliability, affordability and effectiveness before considering its wider implementation.

A separate memorandum of understanding was also signed between TAAN and the Korean Association in Nepal (KAN) to enhance cooperation between the two organizations. The signing ceremony was attended by representatives of the South Korean delegation, TAAN officials and other stakeholders, followed by discussions on the proposed safety system’s technical features and practicality.