Nepal, 7 October 2024 — Ministry of Urban Development (MOUD), Government of Nepal in collaboration with UN-Habitat Nepal, Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC), Nepal National Urban Forum (NNUF), and various national urban stakeholders, organized a one-day event to commemorate the World Habitat Day (WHD) 2024 with the theme “Engaging Youth to Create a Better Urban Future” and convene the Nepal National Urban Forum with the theme “Financing Localization and Localizing Finance” on 7th October, 2024 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The event brought together national and local leaders, policymakers, urban planners, youth advocates, academia, non-government organizations and key stakeholders in an engaging discussion on youth inclusion in urban development to lead sustainable urbanization in Nepal.
The WHD was formally inaugurated with the launch of the Voluntary Local Review (VLR) of Chandragiri Municipality by Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh and other distinguished guests, including representatives from MOUD, DUDBC, NPC, and UN-Habitat. The VLR report which was launched was a key step in localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 as it offered insights into Chandragiri’s progress and identified gaps in resources and implementation to guide future actions toward achieving their local, national and global targets.
After the launch of the VLR Report, Mr. Ghanashyam Giri, Mayor of Chandragiri Municipality, highlighted the municipality’s commitment to integrating SDGs into local policies. He highlighted the VLR as a critical milestone for Chandragiri, reflecting the collaborative efforts of stakeholders throughout the year to produce this comprehensive report. Mayor Giri emphasized the importance of the VLR process, which not only benefits Chandragiri but also serves as a pathway for other municipalities in their SDG localization efforts.
Ms. Hanaa Singer Hamdy, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nepal, also congratulated Chandragiri Municipality on publishing its VLR Report, commending their commitment to localizing the SDGs and called on other local governments to follow Chandragiri’s example of linking local actions to the global 2030 Agenda. She emphasized that the action-oriented VLR sets a strong example of how local solutions are essential in addressing challenges and improving the quality of life of people. She also noted how this VLR provides a blueprint for other municipalities to conduct their own reviews, contributing to the scaling up of SDG implementation as Nepal works towards meeting the 2030 targets.
Similarly, Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Urban Development, Mr. Prakash Man Singh, also emphasized the importance of the SDGs in his speech, noting that Nepal's federal, provincial, and local governments have been actively working towards achieving these goals. He highlighted that the SDGs have been prioritized in the 16th National Development Plan, as well as in government policies and budgets, underscoring the critical role of local-level implementation in realizing these targets.
The VLR is a critical tool for linking local actions to the SDGs and ensures that municipalities like Chandragiri can contribute effectively to Nepal’s national development goals. Both Mayor Giri and Ms. Hanaa Singer Hamdy stressed the importance of the VLR in guiding local policy and planning, offering a model for other municipalities to follow whereas the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Prakash Man Singh, reinforced this by emphasizing the priority of SDG implementation across all levels of government, highlighting the essential role of localized efforts in achieving Nepal’s 2030 targets.
The VLR reflects a comprehensive evaluation of the municipality’s progress on SDG targets, with a focus on key goals like Goal 3 (Healthy Lives), Goal 4 (Education), Goal 6 (Water and Sanitation), and Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Key takeaways include the municipality's prioritization of health, education, gender equality, clean water, sanitation, and sustainable cities, alongside a commitment to aligning its budget with these SDGs. The data collected reflected the efforts to integrate SDGs into municipal policies, plans, and actions and helped identify gaps and incorporate solutions into the municipality’s annual plans and policies. However, there are challenges remaining in data management, public health, and access to services for vulnerable populations. The participatory VLR process enhanced stakeholder engagement and accountability, providing a strategic roadmap for achieving SDG targets and serving as a template for other municipalities in their localization efforts. Overall, the VLR is a vital tool for guiding Chandragiri’s development and fostering collaboration to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth by 2030. It also serves as a template for other municipalities, offering insights into the importance of local actions in driving national SDG achievements by 2030.
For more details on Chandragiri's VLR, please refer to the full report and the launch event video.