KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 24
The Nepal government and development partners endorsed the landmark 'Kathmandu Declaration' yesterday 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 Nepal government, 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.
"The Nepal government is committed to the green, resilient, and inclusive development vision that will support Nepal's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and help address the challenges of climate change and rising inequality," said Finance Minister Janardhan Sharma.
"We look forward to working together with development partners, private sector, and key stakeholders to build back Nepal better and stronger."
Investments will support Nepal's 15th development plan, Nationally Determined Contribution to 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 realize 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.
A version of this article appears in the print on September 25 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
