Nepal presents national review report on 2030 Agenda on SDG

KATHMANDU: Nepal has presented its Voluntary National Review on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in New York.

Min Bahadur Shrestha, vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission, had presented the report at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, currently in session under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council in New York.

Speaking at the session, Shrestha said that the country's expected high economic growth of 7 percent in Fiscal Year 2016-17 may be the beginning of a key turnaround for Nepal's development.

He further highlighted that the country’s ambitious and rights-based Constitution as the overarching guide to sustainable development, and highlighted the importance of forging strong partnerships at the national, regional and international levels and among multiple stakeholders for its implementation.

“In this regard, SDGs are being integrated into national plans and programmes,” he added.

Despite gaps and challenges, Nepal wishes to swiftly complete the unfinished agenda of MDGs, and step up its efforts to achieve the SDGs, building on the encouraging gains made so far, the Vice-Chairman underscored.

Shrestha also updated the forum about Nepal’s plans across different goals and targets and informed that SDG codes are assigned to all programmes under the national budget, together with the tracking of expenditures, among other things.

He also fielded the questions from the discussants, Member States and representatives of the civil society.

The HLPF is the central platform of the United Nations for providing political leadership, guidance and recommendations for the implementation and follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda. VNR is a mechanism through which Member States showcase their progress in achieving SDGs, as well as the gaps and challenges facing them.

This is the second HLPF after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda in 2015.

This year's HLPF is being held from 10 to 19 July with 44 Member States including Nepal presenting their VNRs.