Kathmandu, July 14

The Chaudhary Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today signed a partnership agreement for the advancement and promotion of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nepal.

The agreement to this effect was inked between Managing Director of Chaudhary Foundation Nirvana Chaudhary and UNDP Country Director for Nepal Renaud Meyer.

Under this partnership, the UNDP and Chaudhary Foundation will collaborate to undertake joint initiatives to promote and increase awareness on SDGs by focusing on and mobilising stakeholders for their contribution to the achievement of SDGs in Nepal.

Officials of both organisations said that this partnership will also optimise the contribution of Chaudhary Foundation to local economic development by strengthening linkages between micro entrepreneurs and their businesses, helping Nepal to meet some SDG indicators in the areas of poverty reduction, gender equality,

industry, technological innovation and infrastructure.

Speaking on the occasion, UNDP Country Director Meyer said that SDGs are ambitious, complex and challenging, which is why not just the government but other stakeholders, including civil society and private sector, should put collaborative efforts to achieve SDG targets. “In Nepal, the private sector can play an important role to bring in resources, technology and innovation to aid and accelerate the SDG implementation process,” said Meyer.

The UN General Assembly Summit in September 2015 had adopted 17 SDGs and 169 targets to transform the world to a better place to live in by 2030. Some of the ambitious goals set by the UN Summit for the next 15 years include ending poverty in all its forms everywhere, ensuring healthy life for people, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education, ensuring access to affordable and reliable modern energy for all, promoting sustained economic growth, reducing inequalities within and among countries, and taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impact.

On the occasion, Managing Director Chaudhary said that Chaudhary Foundation hasgiven high priority to sustainable social reforms in Nepal and expressed his commitment to facilitate national targets to achieve SDGs.