Kathmandu, June 18

Fourteen aid agencies of Nepal today revised and endorsed the Basic Operating Guidelines in recognition of the federal structure of Nepal.

The BOGs were first introduced in Nepal in 2003, in the context of the armed conflict and revised with minor changes in 2007.

The BOGs were developed as a way to keep development space open and to ensure the security of staff.

The BOGs were effective in carrying out development work as they clearly explained operating principles to all concerned actors, in a clear and comprehensible manner, according to a press release issued by the United Nations.

The release stated the current revision of BOGs has been undertaken in recognition to the federalised context of Nepal, which meant a difference in the way the development partners and their implementing partners operate.

Co-chair of the BOGs, UN Resident Coordinator Valerie Julliand stated, “I am pleased that the Basic Operating Guidelines have been revised to reflect the fundamental changes which have taken place in Nepal. This does not only include the federalisation process, but also focuses on increasing development efforts at national, provincial and local level. It reaffirms the commitment to the principles of accountability, impartiality, transparency, and inclusion.”

Co-chair of the BOGs group, Elisabeth von Capeller, Ambassador of Switzerland said, “The Basic Operating Guidelines will continue to play an important role in supporting the implementation of federalisation as development partners will comply by using the BOGs as an entry point for the introduction of development activities at the federal, provincial and local level, wherever they work.”

In addition to the existing thirteen signatories of the Basic Operating Guidelines, the American Embassy has also joined as a signatory.