The donors and multilateral financial as well as other institutions participating in the conference not only pledged collective financial support of US$ 4.4 billion to Nepal, but also demonstrated strong solidarity and goodwill with Nepal's efforts to build back better.
In his inaugural address, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala thanked the international community for their overwhelming response and spontaneous support in the aftermath of massive earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25 and later again on May 12. He also expressed gratitude to neighbors India and China, SAARC member states and all other countries that so promptly and generously responded to Nepal's call for support.
While soliciting support from the international community, Koirala also expressed commitment to ensure transparency in the use of funds received for reconstruction. "The government has decided to set up a high-level National Reconstruction Authority headed by the prime minister for sustained, durable and planned reconstruction. This agency will be run by professionals from the engineering and disaster management disciplines, among others. We are committed to ensuring that transparency remains at the core of reconstruction efforts," he said.
Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said earthquake has shaken Nepal's economy with immediate losses of around 2 billion dollars, bringing the combined economic effect of the disaster to a minimum of 7 billion. "This conference is not about asking, giving and taking. It is about our core human values and a common destiny. We are bound together by a higher, noble cause," he said.
Allaying concerns of the donors that the fund may be misused, Mahat said there will be a substantial role for scrutiny and shared responsibility for domestic civil society and international development partners. "The 2014 Development Cooperation Policy also internalizes best practices of transparency and government ownership on aid effectiveness," he further said.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Mahendra Bahadur Pandey said the outpouring of solidarity and humanitarian support from international community has provided Nepal with the strength in the face of national tragedy. "In the middle of the tremors and consequential loss and damage, we have been encouraged by the remarkable resilience of Nepali people and support and cooperation of the friendly countries and the international community," he said.
India stands shoulder to shoulder with Nepal: Indian FM Swaraj
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said India stands shoulder to shoulder as Nepal seeks to wipe the tears of every Nepali. Stating that Operation Maitri was India's largest ever disaster assistance efforts abroad, Swaraj said India had worked closely with Nepal government in the rescue, relief and early recovery phase.
Swaraj said Nepal and India can work meaningfully in areas such as agriculture, housing, roads and transport, electricity, health, education, cultural heritage and disaster risk reduction. "...I am happy to announce Government of India's pledge for Nepal's post earthquake reconstruction of Nepali Rs 10,000 crores, equivalent to one billion US dollars, one fourth of it as grant," she said. The pledge is over and above India's existing bilateral development assistance of another one billion US dollars over the next five years, forty percent of which will be grant.
China stands ready to do whatever it can: Wang Yi
Addressing the conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed China's readiness to support Nepal's post-quake reconstruction at her best. He also announced a package proposal that includes 3 billion RMB yuan grant assistance between 2016 and 2018 and additional US$10 million in cash as immediate relief to help resettle local residents.
Wang also announced that China will explore further financial help to Nepal through interest-free loans, concessional loans or the Silk Road Fund to help with reconstruction. Among other things, he announced to promote Nepal's economic and social transformation, encourage Chinese companies and civil societies to get actively involved in Nepal's reconstruction, provide training opportunities to Nepal with a focus on disaster relief and enhance cooperation of Tibet, Yunan and Sichuan provinces with Nepal.
Heads of delegation from various other countries and multilateral institutions like World Bank, European Union, Asian Development Bank also delivered their speech, expressing their solidarity, goodwill and financial support to Nepal's reconstruction efforts.
Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Minoru Kiuchi announced 260 million US dollars to build schools, housing and community infrastructures in Nepal. He also said that Japan will support holding a second conference in order to realize a more resilient recovery in Nepal. "Japan is ready to co-organize the second conference as well," he said. Likewise, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Nevena Mimica announced support worth 100 million euro for the reconstruction process in Nepal.
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