Nepal's Participation on the Ninth Session of UN ESCAP Committee on Social Development, 11-13 Nov 2026, Bangkok

PRESS RELEASE

NPC-led Nepal Delegation Presents Reform Agenda and Priorities for Cooperation at the Ninth Session of UN ESCAP Committee on Social Development

Hon. Dr. Pukar Malla, Member of Nepal’s National Planning Commission (NPC), led Nepal’s delegation to the Ninth Session of the Committee on Social Development of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok from 11 to 13 November 2026.

Nepal’s interventions presented a connected approach to reducing poverty and sustaining progress: expanding decent, productive employment, strengthening social protection and investing in care. Dr. Malla emphasized that economic growth and inclusion must advance together, enabling excluded communities to participate in and benefit from development. “For citizens, the test is whether protection remains reliable when their circumstances change,” he stated.

He outlined Nepal’s connected policy reforms, including revision of the National Employment Policy and National Industrial Policy, development of the country’s first National Care Economy Promotion Policy, and finalization of its Global Accelerator roadmap on jobs and social protection. He emphasized coordinated financing and implementation across ministries and the three levels of government, alongside decent conditions and stronger skills for care workers at home and abroad. Drawing on Nepal’s recent flood experience, Dr. Malla also stressed the need to protect livelihoods and maintain essential services through climate-related shocks.

Ms. Kabita Phuyal, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment, highlighted Nepal’s initiatives and draft National Senior Citizens Policy, emphasizing dignified ageing, accessible services and stronger evidence and data systems.

In separate bilateral meetings with ESCAP Executive Secretary and United Nations Under-Secretary-General Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana and Deputy Executive Secretary Ms. Lin Yang, Dr. Malla discussed opportunities for deeper cooperation.

The discussions explored cooperation on inclusive social development, particularly social protection and care systems, as well as economic transformation through stronger productive capacity, trade integration and technological innovation. Climate resilience and Nepal’s preparations for graduation from the least developed country category were also discussed.

Across these areas, Dr. Malla emphasized a practical approach to partnership: conducting policy research, learning from and contributing to regional expertise, and building institutional capability to implement policies and programmes.

H.E. Mr. Dhan Bahadur Oli, Ambassador of Nepal to Thailand and Permanent Representative to ESCAP, and Mr. Moti Bahadur Shrees, Deputy Permanent Representative to ESCAP, also participated in the session.

The full texts of Nepal’s statements accompany this release.

Bangkok

13 November 2026