USAID to provide $58.5 million to ‘advance democratic progress in Nepal’

The US development agency is providing up to $58.5 million to advance democratic progress in Nepal.

Visiting United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power announced – during an interaction with the leaders of the government, civil society and private sector in Kathmandu today – that the assistance includes $20 million to strengthen inclusive democracy and prosperity in Nepal and $18.5 million to support civil society and media.

“$40.2 million of the announcement is part of the $659 million development objective agreement announced in 2022,” according to a press note issued by the US Embassy in Kathmandu.

“Following transparent and peaceful elections in 2022, Nepal has an opportunity to strengthen federalism, advance the inclusion of women and marginalised communities, empower its young people, and demonstrate that democracy can deliver for its citizens,” it reads, adding that the United States will be a partner in this effort.

USAID’s investment is expected to help Nepal cement its democratic gains and usher in greater prosperity and resilience for the Nepali people by strengthening public financial management, independent civil society and media, democratic processes and institutions, rule of law, and private sector development.

Power, who also handed over the reconstructed Adarsha Secondary School in Bhaktapur, holds a Cabinet rank in the US order of precedence. The school was damage during the April 2015 devastating earthquake. The reconstruction of the school was supported by USAID and was implemented in partnership with National Reconstruction Authority and Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Education). 

During the handing over of the school, Power also interacted with the students and played basketball with them.

Power, who arrived Kathmandu today, for a two-day official visit, holds a cabinet status and National Security Council membership in the Joe Biden administration. She is also the senior-most official to visit Nepal after the US State Secretary Colin Powell, who was in Nepal in 2002.

A week ago, the US undersecretary of state for political affairs, Victoria Nuland visited Nepal and yet another dignitary is visiting Nepal soon. The frequency of visits of diplomats from the US has increased in recent years, which – according to foreign policy experts – could also reflect the shift in Nepal’s foreign relations priorities and growing geopolitical importance.

Power is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Paudel, civil society leaders and some businesspersons before leaving Nepal tomorrow.

But she met foreign minister Bimala Rai Paudyal at the ministry, according to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry. “During the meeting, views were exchanged on various aspects of Nepal-US relations and cooperation,” the press note reads, adding that the foreign minister shared Nepal’s view on the need of a clear roadmap and ambitious goal on climate finance highlighting Nepal’s strong commitments on climate change. 

Nepal, on the occasion, thanked the US for its continued cooperation for Nepal’s socioeconomic development, including the USAID cooperation package last year, which has contributed to various areas of Nepal’s development such as health and education, transport and communication, agriculture and environment. 

Power also complimented Nepal’s democratic development and said that the US will continue to support Nepal in its socio-economic development efforts.

Also today, foreign minister Paudyal delivered an opening remark in the event on “Deepening US-Nepal Democratic Partnership” as a guest speaker together with the USAID Administrator. In her remarks, the Foreign Minister highlighted the continued efforts made in the consolidation of Nepal’s democratic processes. 

Power will also ensure that USAID enhances its longstanding leadership in areas including food security, education, women’s empowerment, and global health, it adds.

Prior to joining the Biden-Harris Administration, Power was the Anna Lindh Professor of the Practice of Global Leadership and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School and the William D Zabel Professor of Practice in Human Rights at Harvard Law School. From 2013 to 2017, Power served in the Obama-Biden Administration as the 28th US Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

An immigrant from Ireland, Power began her career as a war correspondent in Bosnia, and went on to report from places including Kosovo, Rwanda, Sudan, and Zimbabwe. She has been recognised as one of Time’s ‘100 Most Influential People,’ one of Foreign Policy’s ‘Top 100 Global Thinkers,’ and by Forbes as one of the ‘World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.’

Power is also an author and editor of multiple books, and the recipient of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction.

Power was sworn into office as the 19th Administrator of USAID on May 3, 2021. “In leading the world’s premier international development agency and its global staff of over 10,000 people, Power will focus on helping the US respond to four interconnected challenges: the Covid-19 pandemic and the development gains it has imperiled; climate change; conflict and humanitarian crises; and democratic backsliding,” the US Embassy press note reads.