“The important roadblock has been removed for completion of the process of constitution making and the peace process,” said Helen Clark, administrator at the United Nations Development Program, at a press conference on Thursday. [break]
Clark, a three-time former prime minister of New Zealand, who is currently on a five-day visit to Nepal, is the first highest-ranking UNDP official to visit Nepal in the last 25 years.
She was of the view that Nepal should now focus on economic and social development as the peace process and constitution writing is drawing to a conclusion. Clark suggested that Nepal should be able to take advantage of the economic progress made by India and China.
Clark met political leaders, including Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai. When asked whether the government also requested UN assistance for rehabilitation packages for the ex-Maoist combatants, she said no specific request was made.
In another context, Clark stressed on the need for better preparedness to tackle vulnerability of earthquake.
“This is a huge priority for Kathmandu to tackle challenges of earthquake,” said the UNDP administrator, “I was taken aback by the degree of vulnerability. There has to be enforcement of building code.”
When asked about her assessment of Nepal´s progress in attaining millennium development goals, she said, “It is a mixed a story.”
Addressing the same press conference, Crown Prince of Norway and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, Helen Haakon, hailed Nepal´s progress in improving maternal health.
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