Kathmandu, April 24

Representatives of the UNDP, UNFPA, UNOPS, UNICEF, UN Women and WFP Executive Boards have concluded a nine-day visit to Nepal this week commending the government for maintaining exemplary collaboration with different UN agencies in guiding the country on the path to sustainable development.

“As members of Executive Board of different UN agencies, we were here to see how these agencies are carrying out their mandates and the direction of the UN,” said head of the Joint Executive Boards’ delegation Walton Alfonso Webson.

The delegation, Ambassador Webson said, had three main observations from this visit. First, the Executive Board members saw from the ground up that the UN agencies were working together in the spirit of One UN.

Secondly, the team saw from the field visit that the agencies had put in a significant amount of work in response to development and recovery needs; and thirdly that all these efforts were well-coordinated with the government.

According to the press release issued by United Nations Information Centre on Monday, the ambassadorial-level delegation comprising 28 members of the four executive boards representing 18 countries, discussed strategies for cooperation of the UN system with national authorities, development partners and civil society organisations.

In Kathmandu the team leaders of the executive boards of the agencies participating in the trip met with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs Prakash Saharan Mahat.

“I would like to underline and appreciate the good relations existing between the UN system and Nepal as well as the high degree of trust, openness, transparency, and joint strategic partnership for sustainable development,” added the head of the joint executive boards’ delegation, who is also Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the UN. “We were able to get a snapshot of the progress, the opportunities, as well as challenges facing Nepal in its endeavours for democratic and sustainable development.”

The delegates, who were divided into four groups during their travel, had the opportunity to see the results of the UN’s work on the ground in the districts of Kailali, Bajhang, Baitadi, Rupandehi, Dang, Banke, Sindhuli, Nuwakot, Kavrepalanchowk, including in Kathmandu and to discuss local priorities with women, children and youth, including representatives of the local communities and authorities.

The mission members commended on the progress made in the last two years since the earthquake, while underscoring the need for more concerted effort to speed up the reconstruction work of buildng a more resilient Nepal.

“Nepal has taken great strides since the Peace Agreement in 2006. We understand that Nepal is undergoing a political transition,” said Ambassador Webson.

“As a signatory to the SDGs, and being one of the first respondents to these goals, we recognise the efforts made by Nepal to ensure that “no one is left behind”– be it the marginalised groups, the women, or those with disability. We wish Nepal all success in its efforts under Agenda 2030, to endeavour to reach first those who are furthest behind.”

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