KATHMANDU, AUGUST 26
UNESCO, ILO, and the British Council, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and FCA Nepal, organized a Stakeholder Forum on Cultural and Creative Economy in Kathmandu on Monday.
The forum brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and practitioners to discuss strategies for strengthening Nepal's cultural and creative industries (CCI), which cover crafts, film, gastronomy, music, design, literature, and media arts.
Minister Badri Prasad Pandey said the ministry is updating the Cultural Policy 2010 to reflect current needs. "The Ministry duly recognizes the importance of cultural and creative industries, and the new policy reflects our seriousness in recognizing its share. We will continue to adapt and update our policies and laws to ensure that they reflect the needs of our hardworking practitioners, representing all these sectors and who are here with us at this event today," he further added.
Findings from a baseline assessment of CCIs in Kathmandu Valley highlighted youth as the driving force, with 84% of respondents under 45, and noted Nepali handicrafts' rising export value of Rs 12 billion in 2023.
"The Creative and Cultural Industries are a powerful economic force providing decent work opportunities, especially for women and youth. Nepal can harness the potential of the Creative and Cultural Industries to drive economic growth, create jobs, and empower its diverse and talented population," said Jaco du Toit, UNESCO Representative to Nepal.
Rustom Mody, Country Director, British Council in Nepal, stated, "Culture is, undeniably, a vehicle that can drive sustainable development forward. For example, in the UK, the sector serves as a powerful component of economic growth, generating £124 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) and supporting 2.4 million jobs. The case is not very different in Nepal, a nation that champions cultural identity and creative expression. The research findings and the conversations we have had today is a start to understanding how we all can contribute to fostering a diverse, inclusive and sustainable Nepali creative economy."
Referring to the joint Report, the ILO Country Director Numan Özcan said, "The cultural and creative industries hold immense potential to create decent jobs and foster inclusive growth in Nepal. This sector provides unique opportunities for women and young people to participate in the labour market, while preserving Nepal's rich heritage and identity. We are committed to supporting policies and initiatives that ensure these industries grow sustainably, with fair working conditions and social protection at the core, so that creativity truly becomes a driver of decent work and prosperity for all".
Panelists discussed policy reforms, innovation, and challenges such as market access and skill transmission. The event concluded with the formal handover of the baseline assessment report to government representatives.
