In a significant stride towards inclusive development and sustainable growth, the NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) organized a Consultation Meeting to discuss the second draft of the 16th periodic plan. The event, in Kathmandu, brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including representatives from various civil society organizations and development partner organizations. The consultation meeting, held on January 8, 2024, served as a platform for fostering brainstorming and dialogue among the stakeholders and participants about the upcoming 16 th periodic plan. The primary objective of the meeting was to gather insights and inputs from a wide spectrum of stakeholders, encompassing NGOs, civil society organizations, and development partner organizations. The program was chaired by Ms. Bhawana Bhatta, vice chairperson of NFN whereas Ms. Shanta Lal Mulmi, founder member of the NFN and Dr. Sarba Raj Khadka, former vice chairperson of the Karnali Province Planning Commission was present in the meeting as special guests. Mr. Pranav Bhattarai, Program Coordinator from Save the Children/AIN presented about the strengths and the weaknesses of the plan. As per his presentation, the strength of the plan includes the long-term goals and strategies for the sectors such as infrastructure, education, health care and economic growth whereas the gaps include the detailed implementation strategy, clear timelines, responsible entities, and funding mechanism. Dr. Sarba Raj Khadka, former member of the Karnali Planning Commission shared that the current draft of the periodic plan is farsighted and has been focused about the development goals till 2100 B.S. whereas the weakness is that the 16 th plan does not seem to be influenced by the learnings of the 15 th periodic plan. The presentations were followed by the open discussion in which the participants shared their inputs to be included in the 16 th periodic plan. In the discussion it was raised that the government should make specific focus on the sectors like reducing hunger and poverty, WASH, ensuring the health and education of the citizens while leaving no one behind. Ms. Bhawana Bhatta, vice chairperson of NFN expressed her gratitude for the active participation of stakeholders and emphasized the importance of collaboration in crafting effective developmental plans. "This consultation meeting marks a significant step towards fostering inclusivity and ensuring that the 16th periodic plan reflects the aspirations and needs of the diverse communities across Nepal," she stated. As our country is standing at the transition point of shaping its developmental trajectory for the coming years, the organized consultation meeting sets out as a commendable effort to integrate the voices of all stakeholders. The valuable insights gathered during this event will undoubtedly contribute to the refinement and enrichment of the 16th periodic plan, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future for Nepal.
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