Government and development partners join forces on Nepal’s green, resilient and inclusive development

The Government of Nepal and development partners have endorsed the landmark ‘Kathmandu Declaration’ to develop a strategic action plan for Nepal towards Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID). The declaration was endorsed by the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of Nepal, Asian Development Bank, Australia, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, International Monetary Fund, Norway, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United Nations, United States, and the World Bank at a high-level roundtable event titled Nepal’s Transition to Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID) for Sustainable Recovery, Growth, and Jobs. Under the Kathmandu Declaration, Nepal’s development partners have identified up to $4.2 billion in potential future support, in addition to the $3.2 billion in previously committed resources to support GRID. The GRID Strategic Action Plan will coordinate international and domestic financing for priority investments in Nepal’s recovery from the crisis caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. Investments will support Nepal’s 15th development plan, Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Climate Accords, and the Sustainable Development Goals in promoting green growth, jobs, and infrastructure, and building resilience to climate change and shocks from disasters, as well as equitable access to services for Nepalis. The government and development partners intend to scale up support for such areas as sustainable tourism, renewable energy, cleaner transport and resilient roads, integrated solid waste management, sustainable forest management, watershed protection and water supply, biodiversity conservation, adaptive social protection, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable cities. Partnerships and opportunities will be sought with the private sector to increase green investment and support job-creating small and medium enterprises and businesses in these and other areas. Nepal’s GRID vision also emphasises inclusion to enable women, indigenous groups, and vulnerable and marginalised communities to realise the benefits of a green, resilient recovery. This includes skills training and education opportunities to help citizens prepare for an evolving job market in a new green economy with greater opportunities for all Nepalis. The roundtable, organised in the lead up to COP26, included representatives from the federal and local government, development partners, private sector, and climate experts.