The 11th General Convention and 30th General Assembly of the NGO Federation of Nepal, along with the National Civil Society Conference 2081, were inaugurated by chief guest, Hon. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at the Rashtriya Sabha Griha. Prominent attendees included political figures Pradeep Gyawali, Sita Kumari Rana, and Madhav Sapkota as well as the ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Nepal, representatives from ,Social Welfare Council, UNFPA and Oxfam Nepal. Approximately 1,300 people attended the event, representing 6,675 social organizations across the country. Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Oli emphasized Nepal’s need to leverage its fertile land for increased productivity and urged social organizations to highlight successes alongside challenges. National Planning Commission Vice Chair Prof. Dr. Shivraj Adhikari affirmed that the 16th Five-Year Plan would support Nepal’s transition to a middle-income country, emphasizing civil society’s role. The event marked the launch of the Nepal Country Inequality Report (CIR) 2025, which looks at issues like hunger, food security, income, politics, health, migration, education, and climate change. It highlights the main causes of inequality, questions how policies are being implemented, and offers suggestions for closing gaps. H.E. Veronique Lorenzo, Ambassador, European Union Delegation to Nepal, Mr Taranath Dahal, Former Chairperson of Federation of Nepali journalists and Executive Chief of Freedom Forum criticized outdated Panchayat-era policies restricting NGOs and urged legal reforms. Former Foreign Minister Dr. Bimala Rai Paudyal and Ms. Nirmala Sharma, Chairperson, Federation of Nepalese Journalist highlighted civil society’s role in democracy. H.E. Veronique Lorenzo , European Union urged civil society organizations (CSOs) to stay committed to their mission while embracing necessary adaptations, highlighting their increasingly vital role in tackling social challenges and contributing to national progress. Ms. Won Young Hong, UNFPA Representative, emphasized the importance of CSOs in assisting and complementing government efforts. She stressed that rather than imposing restrictions, CSOs should be protected and empowered to contribute effectively to society. The event emphasized how important civil society is to Nepal's democracy, growth, and policy changes. In order to address inequality and promote long-term progress, it advocated for improved collaborations, updated laws, and efficient policy execution. The conversations reaffirmed the necessity of working together to create a prosperous and inclusive Nepal.
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