Kathmandu, September 3: The NGO Federation of Nepal, the Association of International NGOs in Nepal (AIN), and the United Nations in Nepal hosted the National Civil Society Conference for the Summit of the Future today in Kathmandu. The conference addressed key topics including peace process and security, inclusive governance, sustainable development, and the role of youth and digital transformation in advancing gender, social, and climate justice. Chief Guest Hon. Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, Minister for Foreign Affairs, highlighted the essential role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in shaping future policies and enhancing global governance transparency. She called for unified efforts to overcome challenges and stressed the need for progress and accountability. The event was chaired by Mr. Ram Prasad Subedi, President of NFN, and attended by notable dignitaries including UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Micheal Croft, EU Delegation Head of Cooperation Mr. Jose Luis Vineusa-Santamaria, and AIN Chairperson Mr. SP Kalaunee. In the beginning of the Opening Plenary session, Ms. Shweta Kumari Kalwar, Central Committee Member of NFN, welcomed participants and encouraged discussions on local and grassroots issues. Mr. SP Kalaunee emphasized the need for timely discussions on Summit of the Future. With the SDG deadline approaching and the upcoming LDC graduation, he cautioned that while LDC graduation will bring changes, transformations won't happen overnight, and efforts must continue to address current challenges, always keeping people at the center of SDG efforts. UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Micheal Croft commended Nepal’s achievements in social cohesion, democracy, and tolerance, and emphasized the importance of open dialogue for accountability and transparency. Mr. Jose Luis Vineusa-Santamaria praised Nepal's vibrant democracy and the significant role of civil society in shaping EU-Nepal partnerships while highlighting ongoing EU collaboration with the UN to advance the Pact of the Future. At the end of the plenary session, Mr. Ram Subedi pointed out challenges related to government budget inefficiencies and the importance of retaining young people for national development. He also advocated for investment in peace and development over militarism. Three panel discussions followed the opening session. The first one, Consolidating Nepal’s Peace Process", discussed transitional justice challenges and proposed data-driven, local-level solutions and the second one, "Strengthening Inclusive Governance and Sustainable Development" explored intersectionality and the need for action plans based on Universal Periodic Review recommendations. The third panel discussion, "Youth and Digital Transformation for Gender, Social, and Climate Justice" addressed issues like digital divide vs digital deprivation among youths and the need for state support to retain youth in Nepal. A demand letter on behalf of Civil Society Organizations was also released at the conference. Mr. Hum Bhandari from NGO Federation of Nepal, presented the letter which outlined citizen perceptions and demands regarding the Sustainable Development Goals and the upcoming Summit of the Future, emphasizing the need for actionable plans with accountability, equitable resource distribution, and stronger international commitments, particularly from developed countries. It called for the inclusion of marginalized communities in decision-making, expanded civil liberties, investing in youth, and a greater role for civil society in achieving the SDGs, among others. The event concluded with Bhawana Bhatta, Vice-Chair of NFN, expressing satisfaction with the collaboration and enthusiasm shown by participants. She urged incorporating the conference discussions into the Summit of the Future and thanked everyone for their participation and contributions.
NewsNational