ADB responds immediately to Nepal floods with $5 million grant

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $5 million emergency grant to fund urgent rescue and relief operations after devastating floods and debris flows struck communities along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems on August 26.
"This $5 million grant is a promise kept," said ADB President Masato Kanda, who had recently visited Nepal. "When people in our member countries need us, we will be there for them," he said, adding that families along these rivers have lost loved ones, homes, and the basic services their communities need. "Help cannot wait. The losses are devastating and are still being counted but this will help get food, safe water, shelter, medicine, and other urgent support to people who need it now. When disaster strikes, ADB moves."
The disaster has caused widespread loss of life, injuries, displacement, and severe damage to homes, infrastructure, and essential services in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts. The government has declared the affected areas disaster crisis-affected zones and is leading large-scale response operations. Search and rescue operations and assessments of the damage and community needs are continuing.
The grant, financed through ADB’s Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund, will help pay for search and rescue equipment, medical supplies, food, safe drinking water, temporary shelter, sanitation and hygiene supplies, debris clearance, emergency stabilisation work, and logistical support.
ADB is working closely with the government of Nepal, including the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), United Nations (UN) agencies, and development partners to assess the changing situation and support the country’s response and recovery, accordng to a press note issued by the ADB.
ADB is processing up to $150,000 through a second window of the disaster response fund to support a post-disaster needs assessment, recovery planning, and preparation for possible recovery and reconstruction investments, it reads, adding, "At the government’s request, the assessment will measure damage and losses, identify needs across affected sectors, and help set priorities for recovery and reconstruction."
ADB has long supported Nepal’s efforts to reduce disaster risks and withstand through stronger infrastructure, institutions, and emergency preparedness. ADB will continue working with the government and people of Nepal through the emergency response and the recovery and reconstruction that follow, it has added.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members - 50 from the region.

UNRC-Nepal Hanaa Singer-Hamdy awarded the Recognition Award 2025

The Ambassadors Club Nepal has honoured United Nations Resident Coordinator-Nepal (UNRC) Hanaa Singer-Hamdy with the ‘Recognition Award 2025’ in a special ceremony held on Monday at its office premises in Bishalnagar.
The President of the Ambassadors Club Nepal, Amb Dr Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal, announced the recognition award to UNRC-Nepal Chief Hanaa. “In recognition of her (Hanaa’s) distinguished leadership, dedicated service, and lasting contribution to Nepal’s development journey, the Ambassadors Club Nepal will present the Recognition Award 2025 to Her Excellency Hanaa Singer-Hamdy,” President Dr Parajuli, who is also a former ambassador to Spain and Oman, added.
On behalf of the Ambassadors Club, Law and Human Rights Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers Pushkar Sapkota presented the Award to Hanaa. This is the first award given by the Ambassadors Club Nepal, which will award ambassadors, diplomats, and heads and officials of international organisations on a yearly basis. The Ambassadors Club Nepal said the honour reflects its sustained commitment to strengthening development cooperation and fostering positive change in Nepal. The award is selected by the jury committee of the Ambassadors Club Nepal.
After receiving the award, UNRC-Nepal Hanaa thanked the Ambassadors Club Nepal and President Amb Dr Parajuli. “Thank you very much for honouring me. This is amazing-what you’ve done, always so graceful and always so appreciative,” Hanaa said, adding, “Nepal for me is my Maitighar (mother’s home). I have been coming to Nepal since 1997. I have visited Nepal around seven or eight times, and I have lived and worked in Nepal for around six years. I have travelled to over 54 districts, and I have been overwhelmed by emotions.”
She said that she always comes back to Nepal because there is some magic in Nepal that can only be found here, and part of that magic is the people.
During the award ceremony, ambassadors, diplomats, government officials, officials from other diplomatic missions, and leaders of private sector were also present.
Ambassadors Club Nepal is a prestigious non-profit and non-partisan space, serves as a unique platform where diplomatic missions converge to foster friendship, trust, and meaningful dialogue. It celebrates the art of diplomacy, nurtures collaborative partnerships, and cultivates a spirit of shared purpose that extends beyond borders; a space built on friendship, trust, and dialogue. 

UN expert says minorities and Dalits must be empowered to fulfill their rights

Nepal must close the gap between clear constitutional and legislative provisions and their meaningful implementation to effectively prohibit discrimination against persons belonging to minorities, including Dalits, a UN expert said today.
“Minorities’ and Dalits’ unhindered access to education is the gateway to building skills and confidence, and breaking through cycles of poverty that have prevented them from realising the full enjoyment of their rights and their meaningful contribution to society as a whole,” said the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues Nicolas Levrat, in a statement at the end of his visit to the country.
Levrat urged the donor community to efficiently support Nepal in designing and implementing empowering programmes conceived with and for the benefit of persons belonging to minorities. He called for a partnership with local authorities who have the means to deliver effective support to minorities and Dalits in the communities where they reside.
“In this period of political transition, it is time to rebuild trust in the Nepali social contract. Minorities and Dalits must feel that they can trust State institutions to protect them, and Nepali society as a whole must trust that their contributions enrich and uplift society,” the Special Rapporteur said, adding that minorities and Dalits must have trust in themselves to advocate for and realise their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.
“State institutions must better reflect the diversity of Nepali society in their composition and leadership,” he said, “Minorities must be able to recognise themselves in those exercising power. They must feel heard and understood by public servants - including teachers, judges, and the police - in their mother tongue language."
The expert expressed profound concern about the high rate of impunity for crimes against Dalits, such as violence linked to inter-caste marriages.
“Access to justice must include well-functioning enforcement mechanisms and sanctions of perpetrators,” he said. “It will lead to the dismantlement of a system and mindsets that have enabled caste-based violence and discrimination as well as a culture of impunity.”
Levrat warned about the curtailment of religious freedom, through selective use of the anti-conversion provision, leading to discrimination against religious minorities, including Muslims and Christians.
He welcomed the draft of a comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation protecting ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, including those affected by forms of intersectional discrimination such as Dalit women, the Badi community, the Tharu community, minorities belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community, minorities with disabilities, Madhesis, Muslims and Christians.
The Special Rapporteur will present a full report to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2026.

Government and UN in Nepal review joint progress under UNSDCF to advance LDC graduation and SDGs attainment

The Government and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) convened the annual meeting of the Joint Steering Committee of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023–2027 in Kathmandu today. The meeting was co-chaired by vice chair of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Prof Dr Shiva Raj Adhikari and UN Resident Coordinator for Nepal Hanaa Singer Hamdy.

As Nepal moves closer to its historic graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, the discussions highlighted the role of the UNSDCF in supporting the government’s Smooth Transition Strategy and in accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The meeting reflected on the progress achieved in 2024. These results demonstrate the breadth of joint efforts across health, livelihoods, climate resilience and governance, showing how the Cooperation Framework is delivering concrete benefits for people across Nepal. During this period, a nationwide measles-rubella campaign immunised 6.3 million children, enabling Nepal to eliminate rubella, while expanding access to health care, education, safe water and protection services.

Together, the government and the UN also advanced inclusive growth, created more livelihood opportunities, strengthened social protection, and supported recovery and resilience in communities affected by disasters. Ambitious climate commitments, ecosystem restoration, and expanded civic participation further reinforced Nepal’s path toward irreversible LDC graduation and accelerated SDG progress.

Speaking at the occasion, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal Hanaa Singer Hamdy said, “Seventy years of partnership between Nepal and the United Nations this year is a testament to shared values, resilience, and progress. "Today, as Nepal prepares for its historic graduation from LDC status, our Cooperation Framework serves as the roadmap to make that graduation irreversible, resilient, and inclusive," she said, adding, "together with government leadership, development partners, and communities, we are advancing systemic change, creating jobs, strengthening social protection, tackling climate risks, and harnessing digital transformation."

The UN remains a steadfast partner to Nepal in accelerating the SDGs and ensuring a future that is inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous,  she added.

The Co-chair of the Joint Steering Committee and vice chair of the NPC Prof Dr Shiva Raj Adhikari, expressed appreciation to the UNCT for their partnership and emphasized the importance of national ownership in advancing global commitment, strengthening data and enhancing institutional capacity through technical assistance. He further highlighted that joint collaboration is required in harnessing synergies and strengthening collaboration for shared goals through holistic and interconnected approach, strong focus on inclusivity, building capacity, commitment to evidence and accountability and strong multi-agency collaboration.

Concerted efforts required to mobilise finance for sustainable development

The government, private sector, and the UN in Nepal jointly emphasised on mobilising sufficient development finance to achieve Nepal’s key development targets including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During 'The Financing for Development Dialogue: Nepal’s Road to the Summit of the Future' organised by the United Nations Nepal (UN Nepal) in partnership with the Finance Ministry and Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), here today the stakeholders in finance and development highlighted the requirement of additional investment to achieve sustainable development and accelerate structural transformation of the economy.

Speaking at the inauguration session, the deputy prime minister and finance minister Bishnu Prashad Poudel pointed out that in developing countries, a significant portion of revenue is spent on debt servicing, leaving little for development investment. He emphasised that Nepal is no exception and called for collaboration between the government, private sector, and development partners to mobilise resources. Poudel also stressed the importance of formulating a common position for the upcoming Summit for the Future at the UN and noted that this dialogue would contribute to that effort.

Four years after a series of global shocks – including the Covid-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts and economic instability – the SDG financing gap for developing countries like Nepal has ballooned to $4 trillion annually. The financing gap and accompanying debt challenges have worsened poverty and inequality, putting the world off track to meet international targets set in 2015.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, on the occasion, underlined that as Nepal spearheads towards graduation from its Least Developed Country (LDC) status, bold and decisive actions to strengthen economic foundations is needed by focusing on domestic reforms, advancing financial inclusion and gender equality, embracing digital transformation, and advocating for international cooperation.

Like FNCCI president Chandra Prasad Dhakal highlighted the need for efforts at all levels to mobilise investment for development, particularly in the context of declining foreign direct investment, revenue, and foreign aid. He also mentioned that the federation has been organizing special programmes to promote investment in Nepal and abroad and that a facilitation desk has been established to assist with foreign investment.

In the dialogue, participants dived deep into the most pressing issues for accelerating progress towards SDGs — financing or lack of it — at the time of rising geopolitical tension, post-pandemic weaker economic recovery, more frequent and intense climate-related crisis, existing inequalities and disparities including those related to gender and social marginalisation, and a new trade dynamic driven by protectionism and disengaged multilateralism, among others.

UN-Dhulikhel Hospital strategic collaboration to transform healthcare delivery

The United Nations in Nepal and Dhulikhel Hospital have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to share expertise to transform healthcare delivery in Nepal and advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Acknowledging the importance of partnership with academia under the UNSDCF and SDG Partnership program, the UN Resident Coordinator's Office and four UN agencies—UNFPA, UNICEF, IOM, and WHO—have signed the Joint Declaration of Intent with Dhulikhel Hospital.

Speaking at the historic signing ceremony, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal Madam Hanaa Singer Hamdy said, “Achieving the SDGs in Nepal requires strong partnerships with various sectors. We are hopeful that this collaboration with Dhulikhel Hospital will yield excellent results to improve healthcare, address public health issues, and support vulnerable populations through shared expertise and collaborative efforts ultimately supporting a healthier, more resilient Nepal for all."

Through collaborative programmes, the UN and the Dhulikhel Hospital will enhance post-Covid-19 recovery and resilience and improve primary healthcare delivery by sharing best practices and addressing public health challenges like infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and non-communicable diseases.

The UN will support Dhulikhel Hospital on global health topics; engage in research projects to boost health outcomes; and conduct community outreach focused on health, nutrition, and social behavior change, particularly targeting vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations.

The Dhulikhel Hospital will provide technical expertise and share best practices to develop joint research projects.

“This partnership marks a significant milestone in Nepal’s healthcare journey. We are confident that together, we can build a healthier future for all. By combining Dhulikhel Hospital’s expertise in the medical field and research, and with the UN’s global resources and network, we are poised to make a substantial impact on the health and well-being of the Nepalese people.” Said Professor Dr. Ram Kantha Makaju Shrestha, Executive Director of Dhulikhel Hospital.

This joint UN collaboration as mandated by the UN Reform together with the Dhulikhel Hospital is expected to have a profound impact on the lives of countless Nepalese people and serve as a model for other countries in the region.

Nepal sees some progress, experiences slow progress and regression in others in SDGs

Nepal has seen some progress in areas such as sustainable urban expansion and spatial data generation for various indicators (including 11.2.1-Urban access to public transport, and 11.3.1-ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate, and 11.7.1-measures the share of land allocated to public spaces and the total population with access of these spaces by age, gender and disability)

However, there are areas where Nepal is experiencing slow progress and regression, particularly in achieving food security and combating undernourishment (Goal 2) and reducing inequalities within and among countries (Goal 10), according to a UN report.

The report published by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) also underscores the importance of addressing these challenges and customising strategies to address specific issues in Nepal.

Despite improvements in data collection, significant data gaps still exist, it reads, adding that gender equality (Goal 5) and peace, justice and strong institutions (Goal 16) continue to have the least available data. "This report assesses Nepal’s SDG progress at the global level indicators; and we should be careful interpreting this report in relation to the SDG Report of the Government of Nepal that uses nationalised indicators to assess the SDG progress."

The report -- published today -- also provides an overview of current progress towards the SDGs in the Asia-Pacific region.

Progress on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains uneven and inadequate across various segments of the population and within the five subregions of Asia and the Pacific, according to the report published by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) today, gender and location remain key factors in determining levels of poverty and inequality in the region.

“While additional efforts are required across the board, granular data emphasizes the urgency of addressing inequalities that impact marginalized groups, including women, girls, rural populations and the urban poor, who continue to find themselves locked out of education and employment opportunities,” underscored United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana.

“Equally, the sustained progress gap revealed between countries in special situations, especially Pacific small island developing States, and the rest of the region demands a concerted response from international, regional and national partners,” added Ms. Alisjahbana.

The Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2024 takes a closer look at groups that may be disadvantaged, focusing on how sex, urbanization, education level, age and income contribute to existing disparities and sometimes exacerbate them.

Despite overall progress in school enrolment rates, women and girls in the region continue to face considerable challenges when it comes to accessing education and employment opportunities. They have lower enrolment rates and struggle with literacy. Young women also encounter difficulties accessing labour markets, leading to higher rates of youth unemployment. Meanwhile, the challenges faced by men tend to be related to their health or personal safety. They suffer from higher rates of suicide, chronic diseases and road traffic deaths.

People living in rural areas face pronounced disadvantages, such as limited access to basic drinking water and sanitation facilities. Additionally, the lower availability of clean cooking fuels in these areas contributes to serious respiratory diseases. In general, urban areas exhibit better conditions, yet paradoxically, within these areas, the poorest boys and girls face significant hurdles in completing upper secondary education.

At its current pace, the report further highlights that the region will not achieve all 17 SDGs before 2062 – marking a significant 32-year delay. While positive steps have been taken toward eliminating poverty (Goal 1) and bolstering sustainable industry, innovation and infrastructure (Goal 9) in the region, progress in other critical areas has been more modest. Efforts towards mitigating hunger (Goal 2), enhancing health and well-being (Goal 3), ensuring the availability of clean water and sanitation (Goal 6), expanding affordable and clean energy (Goal 7) and building sustainable cities and communities (Goal 11) have been less pronounced and require heightened attention.

On a more encouraging note, the report shares several laudable national success stories on supporting at-risk population groups. In the Philippines, dedicated research and analysis aimed at estimating the cost of supporting children living with a disability played a pivotal role in influencing recent legislation to provide a disability allowance, extending support to children with disabilities. Nationwide digital training programmes in Viet Nam have underscored the value of public-private partnerships in accelerating digital transformation and bridging the skills and employment gap for youth and migrant workers. Meanwhile, in North and Central Asia, national statistical systems in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have been upgraded to better support stateless populations.

An annual publication produced by ESCAP, the Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report uses the latest data for global SDG indicators to determine where additional effort is needed in the region and where momentum for future progress is building.

UN, IFC, Global Compact Nepal, and Nepse ‘Ring the Bell’ for gender equality

The United Nations (UN), International Finance Corporation (IFC), Global Compact Nepal, and Nepal Stock Exchanges (Nepse) partnered to jointly organise the third ‘Ring the Bell for Gender Equality’—an annual global event that highlights how the private sector can spur women's participation in the global economy and promote sustainable development.

The focus of the event this year is on promotion of gender equality in the technology and innovation sector, according to a press note issued by the UN.

By expediting gender equality, emerging and frontier markets stand to gain significant economic, environmental, social, and governance benefits, it reads, adding that the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative reports that if women were to fully engage in formal labor markets, the global gross domestic product (GDP) would surge by $28 trillion.

The event kicked off with the UN Resident Coordinator designate of Nepal Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, chairperson of the Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon) Ramesh Kumar Hamal, Head of Office of the UN Women Nepal Navnita Sinha, Senior Asia ESG Advisory Lead of the IFC Nepal Kate Lazarus, Deputy Head of Cooperation, of the European Union (EU) in Nepal Eloisa Astudillo Fernandez, and founding president of Global Compact Nepal Sulochana Shrestha Shah jointly ringing the symbolic bell of the Nepse. 

Speaking at the event, the UN Resident Coordinator designate of Nepal Hanaa Singer Hamdy said, “Gender equality is a central force for realising the transformative promise of Agenda 2030, and women’s economic empowerment is both an enabler and prerequisite to make this promise a reality. As societies become increasingly dependent on digital technology, our sisters in Nepal face the risk of losing out on the promise of full participation in digital economies. We must bridge the digital divide, increase women’s digital and financial literacy, increase their access to finance and promote safe digital spaces.”

Under the UN Women’s theme for International Women’s Day this year: “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,” the event was organised to spotlight the need for and importance of women involvement in digital finance for advancement in gender equality and achieve the SDGs.

"Empowering women to participate fully in the economy is not only the right thing to do, it is also smart business. By accelerating gender equality, emerging markets can unlock tremendous economic, environmental, social, and governance gains. At IFC, we are committed to supporting initiatives that promote gender parity," said Kate Lazarus, Senior Asia ESG Advisory Lead of the IFC Nepal. “It's truly heartening to witness the dedication of private sector in Nepal, as shown by the 19 power companies that are working with IFC's Powered by Women initiative to create a level playing field."

The event was organised to highlight the pivotal role the private sector can play in gender equality and women’s empowerment, to motivate women to engage in finance and to raise awareness among Nepali companies on the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs).

“It is our great pleasure to be a part of gender equality initiation taken in the global level. Nepse is aware and is actively participating with different awareness programmes and models for women’s participation in the capital markets. Nepse is strongly determined to come forward with activities which assures the gender equality and fair participation of women in the capital market” said chief executive officer of Nepse Krishna Bahadur Karki.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Head of EU in Nepal shed light on the significance of digitation for financial inclusion in Nepal. Likewise speakers of the Panel Discussion highlighted barriers that women face in investing in accessing finance such as attitudinal constrains, family obligation, gender stereotypes, infrastructural problems, and the need to create digital technology that responds to the need of women.

"It is important that private sector companies learn about Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) as they provide a framework to implement policies and practices that support gender equality. Ring the Bell 2023 introduces WEPs to a lot of private sector companies in Nepal. As of March 2023, there are 23 WEPs signatories in Nepal; we aim to at least double WEPs signatories within the next 12 months," said president of Global Compact Nepal Pradeep Man Vaidya.

Ring the Bell is a collaboration of stock exchanges around the world ringing opening or closing bells to celebrate International Women’s Day and promote the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs). In Nepal the initiative was a partnership between Global Compact Nepal (GCN), UN Women, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) and UN Resident Coordinator Office to raise awareness about the opportunities for the private sector to advance gender equality and sustainable development.

This year, a record 120 exchanges have participated in these events worldwide, from less than 10 exchanges in 2015.

Why more countries should adopt digitalisation to curb illicit trade in endangered species

Earlier this year, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on world leaders to end the ‘senseless and suicidal war against nature’.

Technological advancements have now created solutions to help stop this war and improve humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Digital technology exists to help us to know what is happening in the world and making better informed decisions about how-to live-in harmony with our rich but fragile ecosystems.

Take wildlife trade for example. Much has changed since the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) came into force in the early 1970s to prevent the world’s commercially traded wildlife species from becoming extinct. Back then, many people were unaware of many of the species in faraway places, or how their purchasing decisions may have reverberating effects on them.

“Over time, we have become collectively better educated about the need to preserve the multitude of species on our planet,” he said, adding that many understand why it’s important to conserve biodiversity to ensure future generations can also benefit from nature. 

CITES regulates and controls trade in various species of animals and plants, according to their status in the wild, with strict restrictions against commercial trade in endangered species while allowing a controlled and monitored approach for others.

The process to regulate the export or import requires both transparency and rigour at the borders to allow legal trade to proceed while preventing illicit wildlife trade.

However, for many countries – exporters and importers alike – border control may still be a human-intensive process and the paperwork to process the transfer of species from one territory to another is done by hand.

As countries implement the national single window approach for trade controls in general, some countries are digitalising this process. The recent Covid-19 pandemic has also posed challenges for in-person trade processes, which also accelerated countries looking into the automation of trade permitting.

While dematerialisation often implies a reduction in time and simplification of trade processes, the use of technology also improves the quality of risk assessment and inspection by the border agencies, including customs, helping combat illegal trade in wildlife specimens.

But how does this work in practice? Consider a customs officer presented with an animal or plant that appears to be exotic, maybe a protected species. How do they know that the certificate accompanying the animal or plant in front of them is legal or that the species being traded is the same as the one the paperwork claims it to be?

Since many countries currently rely on traditional paper-based means to process permits, human error can creep in, allowing the fraudulent trade in endangered species.

But an electronic permit system linked to a customs management system can help customs officers, importers and exporters ensure the right species are traded in the right quantities.

It facilitates coordination between customs and the Management Authority – the government agency responsible for CITES matters. Furthermore, the data generated from the electronic permit systems allows accurate reporting of trade in CITES-listed species, allowing informed decision making for sustainable, legal and traceable trade.

“Today, the 183 countries and the EU that are Parties to CITES are looking into the electronic permit system, and exploring solutions that would be cost-effective and interoperable among countries, which helps customs officers spot illegal attempts to trade in protected species and enforce applicable international trade laws,” he added.

One such solution is the eCITES@ASYCUDA base solution. Developed by the CITES Secretariat and the UN Conference on Trade and Development’s ASYCUDA programme, the system allows a streamlined and automated flow of CITES trade from permit application, review, issuance to border validation; meaning the trade in regulated animals and plants is done in a legal, traceable and sustainable manner in the country.

In Sri Lanka, which was the first country to implement eCITES@ASYCUDA base solution, the piloting of the digital permitting solution has increased annual approval rates for such permits by 17 per cent from 2020 to 2021. This shows that the system is facilitating legal trade, while helping curb illicit trade, and therefore boosting the conservation of CITES-listed species in Sri Lanka.

The average processing time for permits in Sri Lanka has also fallen from 120 hours in 2020 to 39 hours today. Adopting such a digital solution also provides better data for improved analysis and monitoring. Prior to the roll-out of the solution in 2020, no statistics were available.

Beyond Sri Lanka, the system is also being piloted in Mozambique, where similar improvements are foreseen, as well as a few other countries that have embarked in testing the system.

Global problems require global solutions

Fundamentally, the more countries around the world that use electronic permitting solutions, the more sustainable international trade in wildlife species can be. And the greater the level of protection for endangered species globally.

Global problems require global solutions and international cooperation is essential for the conservation of certain wild animal and plant species against overexploitation through international trade.

Digital systems can also facilitate the exchange of electronic permits and information across borders, improving international cooperation, increasing transparency and preventing the use of fraudulent permits.

Such a system would particularly be useful in developing countries, which are home to many valuable and threatened species, but may not have adequate staff for permitting and border controls, and need access to systems that are efficient and effective as they fight the criminals seeking to bypass those controls.

The international community has an important role to play in testing and moving towards innovative technological solutions that are available to all countries, so that we improve the conservation and sustainable use of our natural resources together, while leaving no one behind.

As the UN Secretary-General has said several times, our health and the health of the natural world – and indeed, our planet – are all intricately linked.

Using digital solutions to support nature conservation is fundamentally an act of human interest and at the same time, our responsibility to leave a healthy planet for future generations.

UN calls for more inclusive and fair digital transformation in Asia and the Pacific

 The rapid, widespread adoption of digital technology, spurred in large part by the Covid-19 pandemic, and its economic and societal ramifications are the key focus of deliberations at a United Nations forum this week.

The Committee on Information and Communications Technology, Science, Technology, and Innovation, which opened today, is set to examine how this digital transformation has brought a number of benefits and opportunities for people, governments and businesses, but also has further widened the digital divide both between and within countries in the region, opening new development gaps and reinforcing a vicious cycle of socio-economic inequalities. 

“The United Nations has referred to the digital divide as the new face of inequality,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, an under-secretary-general of the United Nations and executive secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). “That is why digital inclusion must be at the heart of digital transformation and accompanying digital policies and regulations if the promise to ‘leave no one behind’ is to be met.”

This ‘digital big bang’ brought about by the pandemic has compressed normal periods of societal adoption of digital technologies from years to months or even weeks, as digital technology has steadily taken over more aspects of people’s lives. Digital inclusion and resilient digital networks across the region have become the foundation for governments and the private sector to effectively mitigate the worst impacts of the pandemic.

According to the Asia-Pacific Digital Transformation Report 2022, released today by ESCAP, the region is now the most digitally divided in the world, with more than two billion people who do not have access to digital technologies.

However, many government and business services are now ‘digital by default,’ thus the urgent need to develop new development paradigms, policy and regulatory frameworks in a more flexible, adaptive, and corroborative way.

At the heart of such new paradigms is the digital transformation process, where people are not just consumers but also creators of previously unheard-of products and services, thus accelerating the transformation of value systems and socio-economic structures.

The three-day Committee is expected to endorse the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway action plan for 2022-2026, which consists of a set of coherent actions aimed at bridging the digital divide and accelerating digital transformation for an inclusive digital society.

Additionally, the Committee is preparing for the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development, to be held on October 26 in Jakarta. It is also expected to express support for the Asia-Pacific Digital Ministerial Conference 2022, organised by the Government of the Republic of Korea in cooperation with ESCAP, under the theme ‘Shaping Our Common Future,’ from November 9 to 10, 2022 in Seoul as an important means of promoting multi-stakeholder partnerships on digital transformation in Asia and the Pacific.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day marked in Nepal

The United Nations Nepal together with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Embassy of Israel and Delegation of the European Union observed the 77th International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Nepal today. This the eighth consecutive year they jointly honour the memory of the six million Jews and millions of other minorities murdered during the Holocaust, according to a press note issued by the UN office in Kathmandu. 

In Nepal, the commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day focuses on generating awareness and empowering youth to stand up for human rights, challenge discrimination and foster tolerance, solidarity, and action for lasting impact. On 26 January, as a prelude to this year’s observance, the UN, the three embassies and Yuwalaya, an organisation working for/with adolescents and youth, organised the Countering Hate Speech workshop for youth. Six dozen youth from seven provinces in Nepal participated in the workshop and explored ways of addressing hate speech online.

In 2022,  this day has a focus on – Memory, Dignity and Justice, because the writing of history and a conscious act of remembering brings dignity and justice to the victims and sheds light on the stories the holocaust tried to erase. This year’s observance was graced by a 77-year-old Holocaust Survivor Ephraim Eisenman, who shared his story of exceptional courage and resilience. 

Speaking at the ceremony, the UN Resident Coordinator Richard Howard said, “we call upon everyone to have a discussion on how we learn from the past to build our societies today, to work together to build communities that thrive in their diversity and communities in which equality and justice are the guiding light. It is that, for which we must strive.”

Likewise, ambassador of Israel to Nepal Hanan Goder Goldberger recited the memorial prayer and said six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust. "Such event should never be forgotten and should never happen again," he said, adding, :We must promote values like tolerance, acceptance of the other, nondiscrimination and democracy."

German ambassador to Nepal Dr Thomas Prinz quoted one of the Holocaust survivors and said, “Saul Friedländer in the German Parliament once expressed his hopes that we “continue fighting for tolerance and inclusivity, for humanity and freedom, in short, for true democracy."
"I think this is exactly what we have to do,: he added.

Likewise,  head of the EU Delegation to Nepal expressed Nona Deprez said, "we will never accept or ignore Holocaust denial, and will combat firmly any kind of antisemitism, intolerance, harassment or violence against any person or community based on ethnic origin, religion or belief.”

During the ceremony, in honour of the victims of the Holocaust, musicians from the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory created a beautiful fusion of Nepali folk music using the Sarangi and classical pieces from the Hungarian dance and the Oscar-winning Schindler’s List.

Remittance help reduce poverty not government policy: UN human rights expert

Nepal's poverty has reduced not due to government policy rather with the help of remittance inflow, according to a UN expert.

"Poverty reduction owes more to remittances than to proactive government anti-poverty policies," the UN special rapporteur and extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier De Schutter, said today after conducting an 11-day official mission.

"A quarter of the decline in poverty can be attributed to outmigration only, with estimates showing that, without remittances, poverty would have increased in Nepal,” he said, adding that remittances in Nepal were 10 times larger than foreign aid and 2.5 larger than total exports only in 2017. "It is clear that much more needs to be done by the government to meet its own target of reducing multidimensional poverty to 11.5 per cent by 2023-2024,” the expert said, suggesting the government to ensure its skills and training programmes reach the poorest families. "While public works programmes such as the Prime Minister’s Employment Programme (PMEP) have considerable potential, in practice the programme has yet to deliver on its promise of providing 100 days of work per person per year. "In the country, 80 per cent of workers are informal, which exposes them to higher rates of abuse, largely because the government lacks the ability to enforce minimum wage legislation in the informal sector.|

Although informal workers should also contribute to and benefit from the Social Security Fund (SSF), there is currently no plan to include them in the programme, he added.

Nepal has one of the most progressive constitutions in the world, but many of its promises still are to be fulfilled, De Schutter, said, adding that Nepal has succeeded in reducing multidimensional poverty by 12.7 per cent between 2014 and 2019, and its Human Development Index (HDI) has improved, as have indicators related to health and education. "But significant gaps remain."

"Women are still lagging on a number of indicators," he said, adding that though banned, caste-based and ethnicity-based discrimination remain a reality in social life, and it is a major factor explaining the perpetuation of poverty. "Land issues remain unresolved, despite the efforts to accelerate the rehabilitation of former bonded labourers and to ensure landless Dalit benefit from land redistribution."

De Schutter’s fact-finding mission began on December 29, just weeks after the UN General Assembly voted a resolution inviting Nepal, along with Bangladesh and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, to prepare for graduation from the status of Least Developed Country (LDC) to that of an emerging economy. Nepal will benefit from a five-year transition period. “Graduation from LDC status is a major milestone for Nepal,” De Schutter said, adding that poverty reduction must be at the heart of the country’s transition strategy to ensure that no groups are left behind."

The UN expert met with communities who suffer from intersecting forms of deprivation. Most were landless daily wage labourers working in agricultural or informal jobs and struggling to send their children to school. Many were from historically disadvantaged and discriminated groups including Dalit, Madhesi, and Indigenous people, as well as women. “The stark inequalities resulting from the deeply entrenched norms and values of the Nepali caste system continue to perpetuate disadvantage today,” De Schutter added.

Women suffer the brunt of a historically patriarchal society, earning almost 30 per cent less than men, suffering from higher rates of informality, owning only 19.7 per cent of homes and land, and enduring a 17.5 per cent literacy gap compared to men, the UN poverty expert noted. "Nepal can and must do better,” he said.

Children experience the worst forms of deprivation because of the poverty their families face, he added. Over one million children work in Nepal, and in rural areas over a fifth of children do.

"During my mission, I met with countless families whose children, especially girls, engaged in agricultural or domestic work,” De Schutter said. "Wealth inequality is a major factor: over 20 per cent of children in poverty work, compared to only five percent of children from rich families."

“The government must take child poverty seriously and take the necessary steps to end child marriage and labor and improve quality of and access to education,” he added.

During his mission, the special rapporteur visited Bagmati, Karnali, Lumbini provinces, as well as Province 2. He met with nine ministries, including six ministers, as well as local and provincial authorities, people affected by poverty, civil society organisations, and development cooperation and UN agencies.

‘Kahile Kahi Hoina, Kahile Pani Hundaina’ campaign against gender-based violence and child marriage starts

The Zonta Club of Kathmandu today launched a campaign to raise awareness on the importance of speaking up against domestic violence, work and public place harassment, and child marriage. The initiative coincides with the United Nations (UN)  16-Day of Activism against Gender-Based Violence from November 25 to December 10.

Women continue to make up the bulk of victims of abuse but often do not report it due to stigma and fear of not being believed and supported, according to Zonta that has produced four short films deliver the vital campaign message –Kahile kahi hoina, Kahile pani hundaina (it’s never ever okay).

"Very often we hear people justify violence by saying it happens sometimes, so let it be. These short films deliver the vital message that violence/harassment and child marriages are never okay - not one time, NOT EVER and one must speak up," president of Zonta Club of Kathmandu Seema Golchha said, adding that the video will encourage victims to seek help and let them know of the helpline options where they can safely call and speak up.

As part of the initiative, Zonta will also stage a series of street plays in public places in Kathmandu starting December 1. "We will continue to promote the campaign message of speak up against gender-based violence and child marriage through street plays as it is a very effective medium in spreading social messages," a member of Zonta Kathmandu advocate Ratna Karki said.

Zonta Kathmandu has been working with different partners to support girls and women victims of violence and has also tied up with Lalitpur Metropolitan Police 100 helpline. Zonta and the National Commission for Women have also created a 1145 helpline to provide legal counselling and support to the victims of domestic violence and workplace sexual harassment.

Malla receives UN Woman Police Officer of the Year award

 The United Nations Department of Peace Operations announced that Superintendent Sangya Malla of Nepal, currently serving in the United Nations (UN) Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), will be awarded the 2021 United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year. Superintendent Malla will be presented the award by UN secretary-general António Guterres at a virtual ceremony on 9 November.

Superintendent Malla currently serves as the chief of the MONUSCO Police Health and Environment Unit, which she helped establish in the country’s capital, Kinshasa. The unit is responsible for implementing policies and procedures concerning the health and well-being of personnel as well as UN Police environmental initiatives, according to a press note issued by the UN. "Her contributions have added direct significance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and past outbreaks of Ebola virus disease, as well as natural and humanitarian crises such as the volcanic eruption in Goma last May, during which her unit alerted the local population and UN staff of precautionary measures."

"She helped establish and now leads MONUSCO’s Health and Environment Unit, enhancing the safety and welfare of our peacekeepers by mitigating the risks from Covid-19 and other threats,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. "And she represents something far larger — the many contributions of women police officers in advancing peace and security around the world," he said, adding that through her work, Superintendent Malla embodies the best of the United Nations.

A medical professional by training, Superintendent Malla helped develop guidance for preventing and mitigating the spread of Covid-19. She has organised over 300 awareness sessions this year on Covid-19 prevention as well as environmental protection for the local population, Congolese authorities and UN staff. As the MONUSCO Police’s focal point on Covid-19, she also been disseminating information about the vaccines and promoting vaccination efforts.

“I am honoured to receive this award, and I hope it will encourage more young women in my country and around the world to pursue careers in policing, which is still too often viewed as “man’s work’,” said Superintendent Malla.

The United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year award was established in 2011 to recognise the exceptional contributions of women police officers to UN peace operations and to promote the empowerment of women.

“Like many peacekeepers during this challenging time amid the pandemic, Superintendent Malla has gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve local communities,” said UN Police Adviser Luis Carrilho. “Together with her team, her efforts to raise awareness about public health and natural risks have ultimately made her colleagues and the Congolese people safer—a core function of policing.”

Superintendent Malla’s previously served with the UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) from 2016 to 2017, where she was a member of the Formed Police Unit’s medical team. She joined the Nepal Police in 2008 as an inspector.

The award will be presented during the 16th United Nations Police Week which falls on November 8-12. At this annual event, heads of UN Police components and police experts from peacekeeping operations, special political missions and regional offices and UN senior leadership discuss performance, conduct and discipline, protection of civilians, conflict prevention, sustaining peace and other topics and priorities affecting UN policing.

About 7,300 UN police, almost 27 per cent of whom are women, are currently deployed in 14 UN  peace operations around the world, where they work to enhance international peace and security by supporting host countries in conflict, post-conflict and other crisis situations.

As of today, UNPOL has already achieved the 2025 targets set out in the Department’s Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy for all categories of personnel. Women police officers comprise 30 per cent of individual police officers and 15 per cent of members of Formed Police Units. Women police hold 40 per cent of professional posts at UN Headquarters and 33 per cent in the field.

Women also lead half of UN Police components in UN peace operations.

Platform for collaboration on tax strengthened support to countries during the Covid-19 pandemic

The Platform for Collaboration on Tax (PCT) – a joint initiative of the IMF, OECD, UN and the World Bank (WB) – enhanced its support to countries in the area of domestic resource mobilisation during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the PCT Progress Report 2021.

The report, released today, highlights that the PCT Partners are committed to deepening their tax collaboration further with a revamped work program to help countries develop resilient tax systems and better fiscal policies in response to the crisis.

The PCT Progress Report 2021 examines activities that the PCT has undertaken in five focus areas since July 2020: medium-term revenue strategies (MTRS), Covid-19, tax and sustainable development goals (SDGs), international taxation, and coordination. The new workstreams reflect the changing global tax landscape and the challenges of the pandemic for governments and policymakers as countries around the world try to balance the increased spending and lower revenues due to the Covid-19 crisis.

During this period, the PCT Partners increased their support to countries through the release of joint knowledge products, technical assistance concerning tax-related responses to the crisis, and workshops on critical issues, as the report reveals. The PCT released the final versions of two toolkits on Transfer Pricing Documentation and Tax Treaty Negotiations with virtual consultations and public workshops, hosting over 1,300 participants from governments and other stakeholders.

Additionally, the PCT Secretariat collaborated with the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to hold three regional workshops on MTRS, which provided 53 governments from Africa, Asia and the Pacific with a platform to exchange information on how the MTRS can benefit their tax system reform in the face of the pandemic. The PCT Partners also raised awareness on the role of taxation in promoting gender equality and growth through a joint blog and a public workshop.

The report illustrates that the PCT website continues to serve as a global resource on international taxation for tax officials from developing and emerging economies with its enriched content. The MTRS resource page, the e-learning calendar of the PCT Partners’ tax-related courses and the regularly updated Online Integrated Platform, which is the public database of domestic resource mobilisation activities and projects of the Partners, are among the new and existing products that provide countries with capacity-building support and transparent information.

Looking ahead, the PCT Partners will, in the coming months, focus on areas where coordination brings the most value by identifying new priorities and activities for their work in light of the recent developments in the global tax agenda. Further activities on the interconnection between tax and SDGs, more and improved resource pages on the PCT website and expanded engagement with countries on the PCT toolkits and MTRS are among the future PCT initiatives that aim to offer tax officials more capacity-building tools and resources.

The Platform for Collaboration on Tax (PCT) is a joint initiative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank Group (WBG). The PCT Secretariat is generously supported by the governments of France, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, according to the IMF.

World Bank vice president emphasises support to green, resilient, and inclusive development

World Bank vice president for South Asia Hartwig Schafer concluded his five-day visit to Nepal, reiterating the multilateral development partner's commitment to support Nepal’s resilient recovery from the pandemic.

In separate meetings with the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and the finance minister Janardan Sharma, Schafer commended the government’s effective Covid-19 response, including the swift rollout of vaccines and strong focus on economic recovery, according to a press note issued by the World Bank. The meetings also stressed the importance of accelerating reform implementation and investment, and enhanced collaboration to support Nepal’s sustainable development, it adds.

"Nepal is an example in resilience, emerging stronger from shocks such as the 2015 earthquake and working with a clear vision to build back better from the impacts of Covid-19,” Hartwig Schafer said, adding that the World Bank is proud to be Nepal’s partner in development and is committed to work together with the government, development partners, private sector, civil society, and other key stakeholders for a recovery that is green, resilient, and inclusive.

The World Bank joined Nepal and development partners for the endorsement of the Kathmandu Declaration at a high-level roundtable on Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID) on September 23. The declaration underscored Nepal’s commitment to the GRID vision and aligning partners’ support around potential priority investments, market incentives and policies, institutional actions, and information needed to support Nepal’s GRID transition.

"I applaud Nepal for embarking on a new development paradigm—the green, resilient and inclusive development framework or 'GRID'," Schafer added. "The GRID approach is meant to deliver short-, medium-, and long-term benefits to people, the planet, and Nepal’s economy. The World Bank is pleased to support the Kathmandu Declaration to strengthen Nepal’s sustainable development."

Likewise, he also met minister of Energy Pampha Bhusal, state minister of Health Umesh Shrestha, government secretaries, development partners and representatives of the private sector, the World Bank press note reads. "Outside Kathmandu, Schafer visited the proposed Upper Arun Hydro Electric Project site and participated in an event on federalism with federal and local level authorities in Dhulikhel."

The World Bank is supporting feasibility studies and detailed design for the development of the proposed Upper Arun project.

Schafer wrapped up his visit with a special event organised in partnership with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile and Nepal Automobile Sports Association to promote awareness of road safety and advocate for UN-standard helmets, which are affordable and certified for motorized two-wheeler riders. The event was organised as part of an ongoing road safety campaign with the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport.

TFF mini summit 2021 to be held in Nepal

 Thought For Food (TFF) -- a food and agriculture entrepreneurial innovation engine committed to organising the largest and most diverse community of young innovators from more than 175 countries since the last 8 years -- is holding its mini conference in Nepal.

"With the dream of securing a better food future, TFF has been acting as an exposure platform for the enthusiastic changemakers through the TFF challenge every year," a press note issued by the TFF reads, adding that the TFF Challenge is an annual collaborative prize competition that creates successful and promising food and agriculture startups in all parts of the world. "The main purpose of the challenge is to assemble a group of people as a team to create, share, and work together to bring an answer and solution to one of the biggest questions of our time: How will we feed 10+ billion people on a hotter planet?"

This year, TFF Challenge has almost reached to its finale. The finale will be happening on October 2 as TFF Global Summit 2021. TFF Global Summit 2021 is a global main stage event at UN FAO’s World Food Forum and is held in support of the UN Food systems Summit and COP26, where the top 10 finalist team selected from more than 150 countries will pitch and share the crazy and excellent ideas of their innovation on how to feed 10 billion people on a hotter planet by 2050. The summit will be held physically in Rome as well as live-streamed globally around 192 countries.

The big excitement is here for you as TFF Nepal team is bringing the global summit of Rome in your home city. "To share the global energy, entrepreneurial knowledge, and excitement of the main summit with our Nepali youth changemakers, TFF Nepal team is organising a watch party, called TFF mini summit, where Nepali participants watch the TFF Global Summit 2021 live directly to our screens from the stage of UN-FAO, Rome, Italy, and feel the same vibe as if they are attending the global summit physically," it reads.

TFF Mini Summit 2021 happening in Nepal is a replica event of the TFF Global Summit 2021.

It is a 6-hours physical event where a diverse community of youth, students, startups, and budding as well as established entrepreneurs will join together to experience the thrill of the main global summit. The summit allows participants to watch the TFF Global Summit 2021 live directly to our screens from the stage of UN FAO, Rome, Italy.

This watch party will cover the finale of the TFF challenge where 10 teams from diverse geological areas will compete to accomplish the winning title of TFF Challenge, 2021. The participants will be encouraged and empowered to use their innovation and teamwork skills so that they can put their ideas into action. Experts from diverse backgrounds will join the main summit who will share their expertise and mentor the teams. The TFF challenge, 2021 will showcase the top 10 most impactful and visionary startup innovations which were able to reach the finale, to the TFF summit. It will be an extraordinary event where all the participants, mentors and experts will get to see how and what the teams will come up with within the sector of nutritious food and sustainable agriculture.

The mini summit initiated by TFF Nepal and supported by Kathmandu College of Management (KCM), Sarawagi Group and NASO, aims to prepare and inform participants about the TFF community and the annual TFF challenge. It is a great opportunity where we can represent the enthusiasm and energy that the youth of Nepal possess, the press note reads.

Without better productive capacities, poorest countries will remain margins of global economy

UNCTAD’s Least Developed Countries Report 2021 to be released next week is calling for increased investment in productive capacities and state capacity in least developed countries (LDCs), as the Covid-19 crisis and the emerging two-speed global recovery threaten to reverse many hard-won development gains in these countries.

"The development of productive capacities in LDCs is necessary for boosting their ability to respond to and recover from crises such as the pandemic, and to advance towards sustainable development," the report reads, adding that to achieve that, they need the decisive support of the international community to finance the immense investments required and to build technological capabilities.

The UN established the LDC category 50 years ago. The grouping of the world’s weakest economies has expanded from an initial 25 countries in 1971, peaking at 52 in 1991, and stands at 46 today, with only six countries having graduated – stopped being an LDC – to date.

Call for equitable, affordable and universal access to vaccines to fight Covid-19

Nepal called for equitable, affordable and universal access to vaccines to fight Covid-19 pandemic.

Addressing annual ministerial meeting of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) held virtually on the margins of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), today morning foreign secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal highlighted the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic on peoples, societies and economies of the LDCs, including Nepal, and called for equitable, affordable and universal access to vaccines.

He said that LDCs must build resilient economies with adequate physical infrastructure, advanced industrial and technological capacity, and expanded social protection systems to win the war against the virus, eradicate poverty and ensure the well-being of their people. He also underlined the need to build productive capacity for the structural transformation of their economy.

He called for an enhanced level of support from the international community in the areas of ODA, FDI, aid for trade, debt relief, climate financing, and technology transfer.

While expressing concerns about the upfront cost and loss of support measures, he said that graduation from the LDC category is our long-held aspiration and an important development milestone, and we are committed to making it smooth, sustainable and irreversible.

"As we prepare for LDC5 in Doha, we must focus on the unfinished business of the IPoA and chart out actions for sustainable and resilient recovery of the LDCs," he stressed, emphasising the need for a unity of purpose, global solidarity and strong and ambitious programme of action to avert the risk of another lost decade of development.

A number of ministers from LDCs, friends of LDCs and development partners, and high-level UN officials participated in the meeting. The meeting also adopted a Ministerial Declaration at its conclusion.

Preparing for complex, overlapping crises key to building resilience for countries in Asia and the Pacific

Countries meeting today at the seventh session of the ESCAP Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction were called on to intensify their efforts to prepare for and tackle complex, overlapping crises as the region strives to increase the resilience of its people as well as its economies.

"Notwithstanding the progress made by many countries in devising more robust systems of early warning and responsive protection -- with far fewer people dying as a result of natural disasters -- the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated that  almost without exception, countries around the world are still ill-prepared to deal with multiple overlapping crises, which often cascade, with one triggering another,” United Nations under-secretary-general and executive secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana said, adding that tropical cyclones, for example, can lead to floods, which lead to disease, which exacerbates poverty.

Since the start of the pandemic, the region has been hit by multiple natural and biological disasters. At the same time, climate change has continued to warm the world, exacerbating the impacts of many of these disasters. The Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2021, also launched today, reveals that the pandemic, combined with the persistent reality of climate change, has reshaped and expanded the disaster 'riskscape' in Asia and the Pacific.

The triple threat of disease, disaster and climate change is causing not only considerable human hardship but also significant economic losses. Currently, the annual average disaster-related losses are $780 billion. It could nearly double, to around $1.4 trillion, in a worst-case climate scenario, it reads, adding that choosing a proactive strategy of adapting to natural and other biological hazards would be far more cost-effective at an annual cost of $270 billion.

In her statement during the opening session, the special representative of the United Nations secretary-general for Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori voiced support for the Committee’s work and reiterated the need for immediate and decisive action to build disaster resilience.

"The string of record-breaking weather events show that we do not have the luxury of ‘waiting this out’: action must be taken now to address these risks,” she said, adding that it includes increasing international funding for disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, especially for countries graduating from the least-developed category.

Also speaking at the opening session, the secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Petteri Taalas emphasised the importance of climate change mitigation efforts. "All in all, successful climate mitigation doesn’t affect our everyday life very much,” he said, “but if we fail with climate mitigation the impact is going to be felt for centuries, even millennia."

The final speaker at the opening session, the secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Houlin Zhao highlighted the need for countries in Asia and the Pacific to make progress on digital transformation.

"It’s time for the Asia-Pacific region to rely even more on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs),” he said, adding that he is confident that countries in the region will access the unique opportunity presented by Covid-19 to accelerate digital transformation and leverage the historic role of ICTs in tackling the dual challenges of climate-related disasters and Covid-19.

Today also saw the return of the ESCAP Regional Conversation series, with a Ministerial Panel on Disaster, Climate and Health Resilience. This was the first in a series of four events that will bring together eminent personalities and thought leaders to exchange ideas and solutions to some of the key challenges facing Asia and the Pacific.

In her remarks, Alisjahbana highlighted the need to build universal resilience to address the vulnerabilities the pandemic has exposed and to tackle rising levels of inequality and poverty. She called for a paradigm shift in disaster risk management toward a focus on investing in prevention and the building of resilience.