KATHMANDU, APRIL 13

Minister of Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said that research-based suggestions and study report from the scholarly class are useful for policy formulation and for removing development impediments.

Inaugurating the 18th anniversary of Nepal Development Research Institute in the capital today, he said the government was committed to sustainable development.

"The government is active in building an advanced society and providing basic services, including education and health. However, development-related problems have not been fully addressed," he said and called on intellectuals to study the obstacles to development.

Recalling the call made by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to people to contribute to realising the vision of, 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepalis', Minister Gyawali reiterated that the government had been carrying out all works keeping the nation's development at the centre.

It was a matter of pride that the United Nations Committee for Development Policy had recommended Nepal's graduation from Least Developed Country status, Gyawali stated, adding that Nepal needed to do much more to become a developing country.

He said there were challenges to meeting the UN sustainable goals before 2030. But any challenge could be overcome with dedication, support, and cooperation from academic groups such as Nepal Development Research Institute.

Former chair of Council of Ministers Khilaraj Regmi spoke about social justice, good governance and development issues, stressing that Nepal should accord equal priority to implementation of the 17 SDGs that aim to build a better, just and inclusive world.


A version of this article appears in the print on April 14, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.