Kathmandu, July 26, 2023 – Dr. Meen Bahadur Shrestha, Vice President of the National Planning Commission, engaged in a significant meeting with Aishani Medagangoda Labe, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Nepal. The meeting, held at the National Planning Commission headquarters in Singha Darbar on Friday, focused on enhancing cooperation between the entities, particularly with regard to Nepal’s 16th development plan and broader sustainable development initiatives.
Labe, representing UNDP Nepal, conveyed her concerns regarding the ongoing formulation of the 16th plan by the Commission. She assured that the UNDP stands prepared to provide support for the 16th plan, should the Nepalese government perceive such assistance as necessary.
Vice Chairman Shrestha extended gratitude towards UNDP for their unwavering support towards Nepal’s development endeavors. He expressed optimism regarding future collaborations and highlighted the distinctive nature of the 16th plan. Shrestha elaborated on the plan’s modalities, its underlying philosophy, as well as the strategic goals it aims to achieve.
The meeting saw the participation of Joint Secretary of the Commission, Prakash Dahal, Program Director Dr. Narayan Paudel, and other officials. The foundation paper presented by the Commission outlined 12 transformative areas, forming the core of the 16th plan. These areas encompass a broad spectrum of structural transformations, including fortifying collective economic foundations, augmenting production and productivity, generating inclusive employment opportunities, fostering human capital development, and executing effective manpower planning.
Among the transformative areas, the plan places emphasis on quality healthcare systems, robust infrastructure, systematic urbanization, social empowerment, inclusion, and social security. Additionally, it addresses concerns related to informal transactions, resource allocation efficiency, environmental conservation, biodiversity preservation, disaster management, sustainable development, and the promotion of effective governance and public service delivery.
The meeting also touched upon Nepal’s participation as a pathfinder country in the Sustainable Development Conference scheduled to be held in New York in September. Discussions delved into matters concerning environmental finance mobilization, the food system, and various aspects of partnership and collaboration between the National Planning Commission and UNDP.
As Nepal endeavors to carve a transformative path toward sustainable development, the meeting between the National Planning Commission and UNDP stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit driving Nepal’s growth trajectory. The collective efforts of these entities promise to pave the way for a more inclusive, prosperous, and resilient Nepal on the global stage.
