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Alignment of the 15th plan of Nepal with Doha Programme of Action
Get PDFThis paper assesses the level of alignment of the Nepal’s development strategies as outlined in the 15th Plan, government’s current year budget and the 2023 National Trade Integration Strategy with the key action areas of Doha Programme of Action (DPOA). It identifies gaps in the alignment between the national strategies and DPOA, and based on which suggests strategies and action areas that are to be included in the upcoming 16th Plan of the Government of Nepal. The integration of DPOA in the 16th Plan will help its effective implementation of the DPOA, and support smooth and irreversible graduation of Nepal.
The mapping of national development strategies using a grading scheme reveals that all key action areas (KAAs) of DPOA are reflected in the national strategies of Nepal. Out of the 38 KAAs, the Nepal’s development strategies are well aligned with 12 KAAs (31.6%), and partially aligned with other 25 KAAs (68.4%). However, the extent of alignments varies widely across six focus areas of the DPOA. The status of alignment is better in the case of focus areas 1 (investing in people) and 5 (addressing climate change) environmental degradation, recovery from COVID-19). Of the 10 KAAs under focus area 1, seven are adequately aligned, whereas all the KAAs of focus area 5 are adequately aligned. All other focus areas have their KAAs with partial alignment excluding one KAA of focus areas Three.
While Nepal is at the crossroads of multiple development challenges, the two core issues that it is facing today are: low economic growth in the domestic sector, and high trade deficit in the external sector. They require various interventions including increasing productivity and enhancing export competitiveness. There seems to be inadequate policy priority by the GON in these areas. The mapping exercise found that KAAs related to supporting structural transformation, enhancing international trade and mobilizing reinvigorated global partnership of DPOA are not well reflected in the national development strategies. These are the areas which are of critical importance in view of the growing trade deficit and increasing debt burden in Nepal.
Nepal cannot not continue to be a remittance-based economy forever, otherwise it could not sustain its graduation in view of the growing global shocks. As the remittance including other service-based sector such as tourism are highly affected by a global shock, the paper has advanced following strategies to be integrated in the 16th Plan: (i) Enhance productivity and economic growth; (ii) Increase exports and substitute imports; (iii) Mobilise finance; (iv) Accelerate enabling environment for engagement of private sector; (v) Develop capacity; and (vi) Enhance cooperation with transit countries and support from development partners. In addition, building infrastructure including clean energy, and investing in human capital formation among the poor and vulnerable, as well as improving governance and effective implementation of policies is necessary. It is through these actions Nepal can build resilience, achieve the SDGs as well as sustain its graduation. This is possible through full integration of the focus areas of structural transformation; enhancing trade and regional integration; and mobilizing international solidarity and reinvigorated global partnerships of the DPOA into the national strategies of Nepal.
The Government of Nepal should harness the benefits of all the provisions and commitments of the DPOA including the preferential trading arrangements and concessional finance before its graduation in November 2026. Subsequently, it should also receive support from the developed country partners to continue the benefits that it gets being LDC. For this to happen, GON needs to negotiate from now on with the relevant developed country partners for continuing such support after graduation. It should also fulfill some of the requirements of developed country partners such as that of the EU’s GSP+ provisions for continuing to receive the trade related benefits in the future.</p
The price of inaction on social protection in Asia and the Pacific : a CGE model for 27 countries in Asia and the Pacific
Get PDFThis technical paper, contributing to the 2024 Social Outlook, analyzes the price of inaction in social protection systems amidst escalating global challenges. Utilizing a global computable general equilibrium model alongside household-level microdata from 27 Asia-Pacific countries, it assesses how climate change, demographic shifts, and digitalization could exacerbate poverty if social protection measures are not sufficiently strengthened. The paper models various scenarios to estimate the expenditures necessary to mitigate these adverse impacts, providing a critical evidence base for enhancing social protection systems. The findings indicate that, under current social protection expenditure levels, poverty in the Asia-Pacific region is projected to rise due to factors such as climate change, an ageing population, and rapid digital advancements.</p
Towards a just transition : synergies and co-benefits for SDG localization and subnational climate action
Get PDFTo address the global climate emergency and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), local action is crucial. This brief examines the potential for Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) and Voluntary Subnational Reviews (VSRs), in collaboration with Regionally and Locally Determined Contributions (RLDCs) and Climate Action Plans (CAPs), to drive a just transition for subnational and local governments and other stakeholders. To enhance the alignment of local climate action and SDG action, this brief makes recommendations for integration, streamlined subnational SDG-climate reporting and inter-municipal cooperation
Passive design in Cambodian architecture : a look at past and current use of passive cooling strategies
No full textThis study reviews the historical and modern application of passive cooling strategies in Cambodian architecture. It also presents thoughts on a transformative pathway, where the integration of passive cooling strategies can contribute significantly to sustainable development, the achievement of national policy objectives and international commitments, and improvement of the interior environment in which people live, work and study
Gender-responsive financing solutions for sustainable and resilient energy and food systems in Asia-Pacific
No full textThis policy brief is based on Asia-Pacific SDG Partnership Report 2023: Delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals through Solutions at the Energy, Food and Finance Nexus.Transitioning towards sustainable and resilient energy and food systems in Asia and the Pacific presents opportunities to advance gender equality. Adopting a gender lens in solutions and policy initiatives on energy and food system transformations is especially critical in the current polycrisis context (figure 1) as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate emergency, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis have particularly threatened women’s livelihoods, health and wellbeing.
The shocks of the polycrisis have heightened inequalities within countries. High food and fuel prices have led to uneven welfare implications, including income losses, employment disruptions, nutrition setbacks and the potential widening of gender gaps. Failure to address these multifaceted shockwaves could result in persistent disparities.
The ESCAP-ADB-UNDP 2023 SDG Partnership Report sheds light on how countries in the Asia- Pacific region have experienced fragility in their food, energy and finance systems undermining years of progress in reducing hunger and providing energy access. The report also explores opportunities to redirect the region towards a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient future by transforming the interconnected energy, food and finance sectors to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)</p
SDG 17 : Partnership for the goals
No full textSustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17 focuses on strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development. SDG17 plays a pivotal role in realizing the other 16 SDGs, recognizing the necessity of partnerships involving governments, businesses and civil society organizations (CSOs) (UNDESA 2021). There has been notable progress in indicators such as the number of Internet users, personal remittances, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, exports of commercial services and financial resources dedicated to enhancing statistical capacity. However, significant challenges persist in fully unlocking the potential of SDG 17, encompassing limited coordination, resource flow to developing countries, capacity-building needs, systemic barriers and insufficient data for progress tracking and decision-making. Despite these challenges, the AsiaPacific region has demonstrated progress in implementing solutions and prioritizing actions, particularly in technology for climate change, energy transition, private sector engagement and Global South-South cooperation. In parallel, there are promising solutions and priority actions to accelerate progress. These include fostering multistakeholder partnerships, promoting innovative financing mechanisms, strengthening statistical capacity and investing in technology and infrastructure. This positive trajectory is likely to continue, contributing to advancing the 2030 Agenda in the years ahead. The profile for SDG 17 was developed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), with inputs from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDs (UNAIDS), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.</p
Green development in the SPECA region
No full textThis report gives an overview of the status, development and possible future steps needed to facilitate the introduction of a green economy in States participating in the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA). The theme selected by Tajikistan as the Chair country of SPECA in 2024 is “Green development in the SPECA region”. The initiative of Tajikistan is well aligned with the decision taken during the eighteenth session of the SPECA Governing Council, held in Baku on 23 November 2023, on the SPECA Climate and Innovation Dialogue as well as the initiative of Azerbaijan, the SPECA Climate Smart Cities Forum. Section 2 gives an overview of the green economy and other related concepts. Section 3 outlines the challenges of SPECA States to implement green economy principles. The most critical issues in the SPECA States regarding the green economy are the inefficient use of water for irrigation and the high level of greenhouse gas emissions in some States. Energy generation and efficiency, industry, trade, transport and digital inclusion are other sectors where reforms are needed. Section 4 lists and describes the frequently ambitious green economy and sustainable development strategies and programmes introduced by States participating in SPECA. Section 5 gives an overview of opportunities that can be utilized and some indications on the progress or lack of thereof towards achieving a green economy. Climate change mitigation and adaptation are areas where more needs to be done. The steps taken on energy efficiency and generation of renewable energy are in many cases limited. Some countries have ambitious programmes to improve the water use efficiency in irrigated agriculture. Challenges as well as opportunities exist in industrial production. Trade, transport and digital inclusion are themes that have already been raised in the SPECA framework and are areas where work can be intensified. Section 6 provides an overview of the broad range of activities supported by regional and international organizations on the green economy and climate change, and section 7 gives and outline of what is being done on the SPECA platform and by the partner organizations ESCAP and UNECE. The ongoing work supported by international organizations, including ESCAP and UNECE, in the area of the green economy is impressive. Finally, section 8 proposes steps towards the development of a “SPECA Green Development Work Plan” to be further discussed and approved by the SPECA States
