NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) and the Association of International NGOs in Nepal (AIN) organized an event on 22 August in Kathmandu to discuss Nepal's journey toward LDC (Least Developed Country) Graduation. The program, chaired by NFN President Mr. Ram Prasad Subedi and hosted by our General secretary Mr. Arjun Bhattarai, brought together key stakeholders. Dr. Toya Narayan Gawali, Member Secreatry of the National Planning Commission, was the chief guest of the program. Mr. SP Kalaunee, chairperson of AIN, shared welcome remarks and objectives of the program and highlighted key areas of focus for Nepal, including economic progress, social development, and institutional governance, emphasizing that graduation is a step towards future preparedness. Following this, Mr. Giridhari Paudel, former Vice Chairman of the Policy and Planning Commission of Gandaki Province, presented on the impacts of LDC Graduation on Nepal. He discussed both the benefits and challenges, including the expected 2-5 percent loss in export trade and potential reductions in foreign aid as poverty decreases. However, he also noted that graduation could boost Nepal's international reputation and attract inward investment. He emphasized the need for Nepal to increase its Gross National Income (GNI), adopt stable economic policies, and develop trade negotiation capacities to mitigate the potential impact of the transition. A panel discussion followed, moderated by Mr. Bhattarai, with panelists Dr. Paras Kharel, Executive Director of SAWTEE, Ms. Samjhana Bista, Country Director of Dan Church Aid, and Mr. Subhash Nepali, Economic Advisor at the UN. Dr. Kharel highlighted that LDC graduation is more of a necessity than a choice for Nepal, noting that it will impact different sectors unevenly, particularly export trade, and necessitate the exploration of free trade agreements. He also mentioned that post-graduation, Nepal would need to pay royalties and patent rights on pharmaceutical products. Ms. Bista emphasized the need for CSOs to educate grassroots organizations about LDC graduation, focusing on local resource utilization and economic independence. She suggested that while government aid might decrease, other forms of grants could still be available. Mr. Nepali from the UN stressed the importance of addressing loss, benefit, and responsibility post-graduation, advocating for adherence to international agreements and the reform of outdated systems like international financial architecture. During the question and answer session, participants raised concerns about internal governance and the impact on vulnerable groups like farmers, senior citizens, women, and Dalits, which were addressed by the panelists. In his remarks, the chief guest, Dr. Gyawali, emphasized that Nepal has delayed LDC graduation since 2015, and it is now crucial to embrace the responsibilities that come with it, including researching the factors behind the trade deficit and the GDP-to-foreign aid ratio. Mr. Ram Prasad Subedi, the chairperson of NFN, concluded the event by expressing gratitude to all the participants for being actively involved in the discussion while stressing the importance of organizing similar events at the provincial level for CSOs in collaboration with government entities and the UN. He also highlighted the need to focus on increasing production, generating employment, and reinvesting the benefits into the country, advocating for stronger partnerships between CSOs and the government, leveraging both resources and skills.
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