Nepal SDG Forum Facilitates Multi-stakeholders Preparatory Meeting on Voluntary National Review 2024
On 04 April 2024 the Nepal SDG Forum organized a Multi-stakeholders Preparatory Meeting on the Voluntary National Review (VNR) 2024, centering on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Attended by a diverse group of 85 participants from various sectors, the event aimed to explore into Nepal's progress, challenges, and strategies concerning the upcoming VNR process.
The meeting was chaired by Ram Prasad Subedi and the meeting welcomed by the Umesh Biswakarma Deputy Secretary General of NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) to esteemed guests including Dr. Rojnath Pandey from the Development, Economic Affairs, and Good Governance Committee, along with Anita Poudel, Director of the National Planning Commission. The event objective was to explore the interact details of Nepal's readiness for the VNR, encompassing achievements, lessons learned, and future plans relevant to both the government and civil society.
The event covered key presentations, headed by Arjun Bhattrai, Secretary-General of NFN. Bhattrai's discourse revolved around the critical engagement of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in steering Nepal closer towards SDG attainment, emphasizing best practices and methodological approaches. Anita Poudel, Director of the National Planning Commission, offered invaluable insights into breakthrough experiences, institutional arrangements, and priority for Nepal's VNR in 2024. Rojnath Pandey, Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee in his presentation, explored into Nepal's progress trajectory, elucidating the nation's achievements, challenges, and alignment with the SDGs. Of particular note was Pandey's emphasis on the structural transformations envisioned within the ambit of the 16th Plan and the imperative of prioritizing SDGs to ensure tangible progress.
The subsequent open-floor discussion session provided a fertile ground for various organizations to articulate their perspectives and concerns. The child network (Consortium) underscored the importance of child inclusion, advocating for self-prepared agendas tailored to address the unique needs of children. The Dalit NGO Federation highlighted the pressing need for the prioritization of inclusion in governmental agendas and the collection of disaggregated data to ensure a more nuanced understanding of marginalized communities. The National Association of Rural Municipality in Nepal emphasized sentiments on SDG localization, advocating for enhanced sensitization efforts at the grassroots level and boosted collaboration among government agencies to propel progress forward.
Representatives from diverse sectors, including water sanitation and hygiene, community forest users, cooperatives, and international NGOs in Nepal (AIN), contributed their voices to the discussion. Issues such as the necessity for realistic progress reporting, sustainable finance strategies, and robust sensitization programs on SDGs were raised. Furthermore, participants underscored the importance of political party sensitization, representation of indigenous voices, and the readiness for Least Developed Country (LDC) graduation. The need for qualitative data alignment with government statistics and the imperative of prioritizing issues such as Leave No One Behind (LNOB) and Indigenous People's rights were also emphasized.
The Multi-stakeholders Preparatory Meeting on Voluntary National Review 2024 on Sustainable Development Goal in Nepal served as a platform for deliberations and reflections. It underscored the imperative of collaborative efforts between the government, civil society, and international organizations to navigate challenges effectively and expedite progress towards sustainable development. Insights collected from this meeting are poised to shape Nepal's approach to the VNR process in 2024 and beyond, ensuring a more inclusive and impactful implementation of the SDGs.