NPC, UNESCAP making final preparations for workshops

Kathmandu, Jun. 7

The National Planning Commission (NPC) and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) are in the final phase of preparations of two high-level workshops to be held in Koshi Province and Kathmandu.

Discussions have been held regarding the necessary preparations for the upcoming two-day sub-regional workshop on 'Trade and transport connectivity challenges and way forward in Eastern South Asia, scheduled to be held on June 16 and 17 in Kakarbhitta, Koshi Province, and the national workshop on Nepal’s smooth transition strategy from LDC status: Challenges and way forward, to be held on June 19 and 20 in Kathmandu.

The NPC said in a statement on Friday that the preparations for these workshops—being jointly organised by the NPC and UNESCAP - were discussed during a meeting held in Kathmandu.

The preparatory meeting saw the attendance of Vice-Chairperson of the Commission, Prof. Dr. Shiva Raj Adhikari, and Member Secretary Suman Raj Aryal, Secretary of the Ministry of Education Choodamani Paudel, Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens Laxmi Kumari Basnet, along with joint secretaries from various ministries and representatives from the private sector.

"The discussion emphasised the importance of making both workshops effective and ensuring necessary support from the respective ministries," read the statement.

It was noted that, in line with Nepal’s target of graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2026, more proactive efforts are needed, and that both the NPC and the relevant ministries must give this matter high priority.

Likewise, it was informed that a field visit will be conducted along the Kakarbhitta–Panitanki–Phulbari–Banglabandha route to study trade and transit facilitation among Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.

The meeting also discussed issues like mobilising international support for trade, enhancing internal productivity, environmental and disaster management, and productivity enhancement as part of Nepal’s preparations for graduation from LDC status by 2026.

These topics will be addressed in the upcoming workshops.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 8 June 2025.