KATHMANDU, JUNE 11

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nepal, in collaboration with Nepal Economic Forum, launched the global 2025 Human Development Report (HDR) titled "A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence" at a high-level event in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

The event, attended by government officials, development partners, academia, civil society, media, and youth representatives, also featured a panel discussion on "Making AI Work for Nepal." The discussion explored how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support inclusive development, strengthen governance, and create equitable opportunities.

According to the report, global human development progress has slowed to its lowest point in 35 years, with widening gap between richer and poorer countries. It calls attention to the urgent need for innovative solutions to reignite development and highlights AI as a powerful but double-edged tool that must be steered wisely to foster inclusion and resilience.

Speaking at the launch, UNDP Resident Representative to Nepal Ms. Kyoko Yokosuka emphasized, "The global findings remind us that development gains cannot be taken for granted. In Nepal, our challenge is to harness digital transformation and AI not just for innovation's sake, but for deepening human development and leaving no one behind."

Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, highlighted that Nepal is at a critical juncture, with AI redefining how the country learns, works, and governs. He emphasized on the government having developed an AI Vision that puts people at the center of a resilient and adaptive digital transformation and how Nepal's AI strategy promotes inclusion over exclusion, empower over control, and puts people over profits.

Alexandru Oprunenco, Regional Innovation Advisor at UNDP, presented the report's key findings. He acknowledged Nepal's 54% increase in its Human Development Index (HDI) over the past 35 years, but stressed that challenges remain-particularly in income levels and gender inequality. "AI must be designed to augment rather than automate human capabilities," he said.

A panel discussion moderated by Sujeev Shakya, Chair of Nepal Economic Forum, examined Nepal's readiness for AI-driven development. Participants called for collaborative, adaptive governance to ensure AI benefits all citizens.

Joint Secretary at MoCIT, Adesh Khadka, shared updates on the formulation of the National AI Policy, aligned with the Digital Nepal Framework 2.0. He said AI integration in agriculture, health, and IT could be a catalyst for large-scale job creation.

Parag Shrestha, Managing Director at Fusemachines South Asia, said Nepal has the talent and infrastructure to build a competitive AI industry, provided investments and public-private partnerships are strengthened.

British Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, cautioned against early missteps with AI. He stressed the importance of safeguards to curb misinformation and promote digital literacy as essential steps toward creating an AI-ready Nepal.

Meanwhile, Sunaina Ghimire Pandey, President of the Federation of Computer Association of Nepal, called for inclusive AI strategies that empower women, students, and marginalized communities. She urged greater investment in awareness, infrastructure, and digital skills.

In her concluding remarks, Secretary at MoCIT, Radhika Aryal, noted that while Nepal has made progress in digital adoption, the benefits remain unevenly distributed. She highlighted that AI holds considerable potential, and if approached correctly, it can deliver inclusive digital outcomes for the country.

As Nepal scales its digital infrastructure and fosters innovation, the event served as a platform to build consensus on ethical, inclusive, and people-centered AI development. UNDP reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national partners in aligning AI with sustainable human development goals.