Nepal presents its second voluntary national review report on sustainable development

Published On: July 14, 2020 02:30 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

Photo courtesy: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/

KATHMANDU, July 14: Nepal presented its second voluntary national review (VNR) report at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, convened under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on Monday.

Dr Puspa Raj Kadel, vice chairman of the National Planning Commission, presented the VNR report as the leader of the Nepali delegation.

Dr Kadel gave an overview of Nepal’s experience in mainstreaming and implementing sustainable development goals (SDGs) at all levels of the government. While highlighting the legal, policy and institutional frameworks that underpin the aspiration of ‘leaving no one behind’, he updated the Forum about Nepal’s achievements and plans across different goals and targets.

He underscored the need for further accelerating the economic pillar of sustainable development while ensuring social justice and environmental resilience. “The COVID-19 pandemic has a huge impact on economic growth and other socio-economic sectors. It is also in this context that there is a need for scaled-up financing, multi-stakeholder partnership and global cooperation,” he emphasized.

Following the presentation of the report, Dr Kadel responded to a number of questions raised by the representatives of the member states and civil society organizations.

The HLPF is the central UN platform that provides political leadership, guidance, and recommendations for the effective implementation, follow-up, and review of the 2030 Agenda.

VNR is a mechanism through which the member states showcase their progress made in implementing SDGs, as well as the gaps and challenges facing them. Nepal’s first VNR was presented at the 2017 HLPF. Nepal is among the 47 countries presenting their VNRs this year.

In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s HLPF is being held virtually from 07 to 16 July 2020 under the theme of ‘Accelerated action and transformative pathways: realizing the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development’.