KATHMANDU, April 29: Minister for Urban Development, Ram Kumari Jhakri has expressed Nepal’s commitment to working with the international community for the effective implementation of the New Urban Agenda by building resilient and sustainable cities as enablers for achieving Sustainable Development Goals as well as climate goals.

Addressing the High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly to Assess Implementation of the New Urban Agenda in the United Nations, New York, on Thursday, Minister Jhakri underlined that well-planned urbanization guided by the spirit of sustainability and equitability brings decent jobs, economic growth and investment opportunities in cities.

She underscored that, in line with the New Urban Agenda, Nepal has implemented national strategies and guidelines setting out national standards for urbanization, enacted Rights to Housing Act 2018 and constructed over 3,000 houses and handed them over to the families living in unsafe conditions under the ‘Safe Citizenship Housing Program’. 

The minister further highlighted Nepal’s commitment to achieving net-zero emission targets by 2045 and emphasized environment-friendly urban development plans to address pollution, waste management, and to promote clean energy. As Nepal is located in an earthquake-prone area and hit by high-magnitude earthquakes in the past, she further emphasized reinforcing the old urban areas by retrofitting the existing buildings to endure future shocks. 

Similarly, the minister called on the development partners, including the UN system, to ensure a scaled-up financial and technical cooperation to bridge the financial gap for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. “More than ever, this is the time to transform the way we build, manage, and live in cities to end poverty, reduce inequalities and to promote inclusive and sustainable development,” she said.

The one-day high-level meeting, organized by the President of the UN General Assembly, featured several ministers and other high-level speakers. 

 
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