Nepal to present NVR report on SDGS to UN body in July

KATHMANDU: Nepal is set to present a report on its progress in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the United Nations. The report, prepared through the Voluntary National Review (VNR) on SDGs, is due to be presented in July.

The National Planning Commission (NPC) on Tuesday hosted a workshop in Kathmandu on the Voluntary National Review of SDGs, gathering valuable input from various stakeholders. This follows Nepal's first VNR on SDG in 2017 and the second in 2020. The NPC anticipates that the third VNR will be completed within the next six months.

At the workshop, NPC Vice-Chairman Min Bahadur Shrestha stated that the event aimed to assess Nepal's efforts towards the SDGs, learn from successful practices in other countries, and gather input from various sectors to promote coordination and cooperation with diverse agencies.

Shrestha affirmed that Nepal is fully committed to achieving the SDGs, with efforts underway at federal, provincial, and local government levels. The localisation of SDGs in Nepal is already in progress, and the budget has prioritised them. Effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are in place for projects and plans related to the SDGs.

He added that the 16th five-year periodic plan, which will come into effect from next fiscal year 2024/25, has prioritised efforts to graduate Nepal from the category of the least developed country and to accomplish the SDGs.

The Sustainable Development Implementation and Monitoring Committee, coordinated by NPC Vice-Chairman, is working to prepare the third voluntary national review related to sustainable development. The Economic Management Division of the NPC is serving as the secretariat. Shrestha shared that Nepal would present this report at the meeting of the high-level political forum under the United Nations in July.

UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal, Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, praised Nepal's efforts in achieving the SDGs and highlighted the need for further progress-oriented results. "Nepal's progress in achieving SDGs is admirable. Compared to other countries in the world, the progress of Nepal is better. But we must make further efforts to achieve the SDGs within the stipulated time," she added.

She emphasized that Nepal, from the position of Chair of the least developed countries, should take on greater responsibility in the activities of sustainable development goals and upgrading.

All UN member countries approved the Sustainable Development Goals (2016-2030) in 2015 and began implementing them. Nepal has prepared a roadmap for the Sustainable Development Goals 2016-30 and has implemented it.

According to recent statistics from the NPC, Nepal has made approximately 43% progress so far in the SDGs.

The workshop was organised in coordination with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

Representatives from line ministries, Nepal Rastra Bank, Policy and Planning Commission of all provinces, National Association of Rural Municipalities, Municipal Association of Nepal, the private sector, representatives of government and non-government offices, and the cooperative sector were present at the workshop.