KATHMANDU, June 2: The Ministry of Finance and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nepal jointly convened the 2024 Annual Programme Review in Kathmandu on Monday, bringing together senior government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, and community-based organisations. The review
The review co-chaired by Joint Secretary Dhani Ram Sharma, head of the International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division (IECCD) at the Ministry of Finance and Kyoko Yokosuka, UNDP Nepal Resident Representative aimed to assess ongoing initiatives and align strategies with Nepal’s evolving development priorities.
In his opening remarks, Sharma praised the enduring partnership between the Government of Nepal and UNDP. He acknowledged UNDP’s vital role in advancing democratic governance, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction and institutional capacity-building across all levels of government. Highlighting the government’s renewed focus on fostering a conducive environment for investment and entrepreneurship, he called on development partners to align their efforts with national priorities outlined in the new fiscal budget, which places strong emphasis on private sector development and employment generation.
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Addressing the participants, UNDP Resident Coordinator Yokosuka thanked the Government of Nepal and partners for their continued collaboration. She reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting national efforts through efficient, locally driven, and inclusive programming. Stressing the value of collective action, she emphasised the need for strong partnerships among government, civil society, the private sector, and international stakeholders. She noted that UNDP’s convening role enables the scaling of successful initiatives that deliver tangible and sustainable development outcomes.
UNDP Nepal’s Deputy Resident Representative Julien Chevillard presented a detailed overview of the organisation’s achievements in 2024. Key highlights included progress in democratic governance, inclusive economic growth, environmental sustainability, climate adaptation and disaster resilience. He underlined UNDP’s contribution to Nepal’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status through integrated national financing frameworks and innovative financing tools. He also showcased how UNDP integrates renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, climate-resilient livelihoods and disaster preparedness to strengthen community-level resilience.
Joint Secretary Krishna Dhakal, Chief of the United Nations Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed appreciation for UNDP’s sustained partnership in advancing federal governance, climate action and financing innovation. He reiterated the government’s commitment to deepening collaboration with UNDP to address complex development challenges and seize shared opportunities.
The review concluded on a forward-looking note, with both the Government of Nepal and UNDP reaffirming their strong partnership in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous future for all Nepalis.
