Honourable Dr. Min Bahadur Shrestha, Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC) is leading the 9-member Nepali delegation to the 10th Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), which is being held on 27-30 March 2023 at the United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok. Other members of the delegation include the Secretary of the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UNESCAP, and senior officials of the Ministries of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, and Urban Development, and National Planning Commission. The theme of the 10th APFSD is “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels in Asia and the Pacific”.
Hon. Dr. Min Bahadur Shrestha, Vice Chairman has been elected as a Vice-Chair to the 10th Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development being held at United Nations Conference Center, bangkok from 27ti 30 March 2023.
Hon. Vice Chairman while delivering a country statement stated that since the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are global commitments, Nepal has placed the SDGs at the center of her development vision and priorities. He further stated that Nepal is pursuing sustainable development agenda with strong national commitment and it has been integrated into the national plans and programmes. He also shared that SDGs has been localized at the provincial and local level planning and budgeting processes.
Hon. Vice-Chairman stated that despite the challenges posed by the global crises including Covid-19 pandemic, Nepal has made some progress in key areas of SDGs. However, the multifaceted effect of COVID-19 pandemic and current global crises have threatened the progress, he said.
While sharing the relief and recovery policies and strategies adopted by the Government of Nepal to respond to the pandemic and other challenges, Hon. Vice Chairman stressed the need to bring structural reform that boost economic growth and make the economy resilient from future shocks. He also underscored the need of collective efforts to achieve SDGs and appreciated the global initiatives and support measures taken to respond Covid-19 pandemic, He also hoped for concerted efforts from the international community, development partners and stakeholders to accelerate the SDGs implementation.
Later today, Hon. Vice-Chairman addressed the Ministerial segment on “Towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals Summit”. While addressing the Summit, Hon. Vice-Chairman stated that SDGs are a global commitment to end poverty, protect the environment and achieve peace and prosperity by 2030. He mentioned that due to the continuous efforts in the implementation of SDGs, Nepal has made some notable progress in the socio-economic sectors. He also said that the government of Nepal is committed to strengthening the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice to all citizens.
Hon. Vice Chairman said that the Constitution of Nepal has provisions with equity-based principles, social justice, and inclusion that provides a base for achieving the goal of “leaving no one behind”. Nepal has integrated SDGs in national plans and programs and institutional arrangement has been made to facilitate its implementation process, he said further.
In light of Nepal’s graduation from the LDC category by 2026, Hon. Vice Chairman said a robust graduation strategy is being formulated for ensuring a smooth, sustainable and irreversible graduation. He expressed his confidence that sustainable graduation will also help to achieve SDGs by 2030.
Hon. Vice Chairman said that protecting the environment and people, leveraging digital opportunities, and raising financial resources through broadening the tax base, among others, are some of pressing issues to be addressed in order to achieving the Goals by 2030. He also expressed his hope that an effective and comprehensive cooperation mechanism will meaningfully help in materializing economic transformation and achieving SDGs by 2030.
Hon. Vice Chairman is scheduled to participate in a side event on “Facilitation Structural Transformation to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in Asia-Pacific LDCs” on 28 March 2023.
The Asia-Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development (APFSD) is an annual, inclusive intergovernmental forum to support the follow-up and review of progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the regional level. This special event also marks the mid-way point of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Hon. Vice-Chairman Dr. Min Bahadur Shrestha arrived in Bangkok on 26th March 2023.
Embassy of Nepal
Bangkok
27 March 2023
