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UNDP Nepal at 60
September 28, 2025
Photo: UNDP Nepal
Welcome to the 60 Years of UNDP in Nepal!
Nepal has been part of the United Nations for 70 years, beginning a long and fruitful partnership in 1955. Ten years later, the merger of the UN Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance and the UN Special Fund.
As the largest development agency and the operational backbone of the UN system, our work is woven into the fabric of 21 UN agencies in Nepal.
Glimpses from our history:
Hand-in-hand with governments, global and local partners, and guided most recently by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), our work has paved the way for human development and created opportunities for people to thrive.
We have transformed millions of lives–by creating jobs, fostering inclusion, supporting those in crisis, reducing inequalities, and promoting progress for everybody, particularly the most vulnerable.
Follow updates from our shared journey capturing important milestones in Nepal's development journey:
Six Videos - Six Decades of Change
These videos celebrate 60 years of UNDP Nepal, capturing stories and perspectives from across generations of practitioners, policymakers, and partners. Through immersive visuals and on-the-ground narratives, it traces Nepal’s early development journey, the evolution of tourism and enterprise, and the path toward a climate-resilient, energy-secure, and biodiverse future.
Blending expert insights with real-life experiences, the series showcases how partnerships, policy innovation, and strong community connections have shaped progress—while offering a glimpse into the opportunities and challenges ahead for a rapidly transforming Nepal.
UNDP Nepal Podcast Series: 60 Years of Development
This podcast series marks 60 years of UNDP in Nepal, bringing together voices from across generations of development practitioners, policymakers, and partners. Through candid conversations, it explores Nepal’s early development journey, its history of tourism and enterprise, innovative financing, and the country’s climate, energy, and biodiversity future.
Featuring expert insights and real-world experiences, the series highlights how partnerships, policy, and UNDP’s deep connection with local communities have driven progress - and what lies ahead for a rapidly evolving Nepal.
Episode 1
In this episode, UNDP’s Resident Representative for Nepal Kyoko Yokosuka speaks with Ms. Lalita Thapa, UNDP’s former Assistant Resident Representative (retired) and Mr. Jagadish Pokharel, former National Planning Commission Vice Chair, to reflect on the early years that shaped the country’s development trajectory. From the role of national planning to the evolution of international cooperation, the conversation traces how key institutions, policies, and partnerships were built over time. It also highlights UNDP’s longstanding support in strengthening governance, planning systems, and capacity across sectors. Blending firsthand experience with historical perspective, this episode offers a compelling look at how Nepal’s development foundations were laid - and what they continue to mean today.
Episode 2
Nepal’s tourism story is one of resilience, reinvention, and remarkable partnerships. In this episode, sustainable tourism specialist Ms. Lisa Choegyal speaks with Mr. Dipendra Purush Dhakal, former Nepal Rashtra Bank Governor, the first Chair of the Nepal Tourism Board and former Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation; Ms. Nabina Shrestha, Poverty and Inclusion Programme Analyst for UNDP’s MEDEP program; and Ms. Shradha Shrestha, former Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens and former senior official at the Nepal Tourism Board, on how the sector has evolved - from early exploration to a key pillar of the national economy.
The conversation explores the role of UNDP in strengthening local enterprises, promoting inclusive growth, and supporting sustainable tourism models across the country. Blending personal insights with policy perspectives, this episode traces how tourism continues to create livelihoods, empower communities, and shape Nepal’s global identity—while looking ahead to what the future demands.
Episode 3
Nepal stands on the frontlines of climate change - where melting glaciers, erratic weather, and growing energy needs intersect.
In this episode, Nepali Times Editor Mr. Kunda Dixit speaks with Dr. Manjeet Dhakal, climate advocate and Head of LDC Support Team, and Dr. Archana Shrestha, Acting Director General of Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, to unpack the realities shaping Nepal’s climate and energy landscape.
From data and policy to storytelling and public awareness, the conversation explores how the country is responding to increasing risks while advancing clean energy solutions. It also highlights UNDP’s role in strengthening climate resilience, supporting early warning systems, and promoting sustainable energy pathways. Grounded in expertise and lived experience, this episode looks at what it will take to build a climate-secure future for Nepal.
Episode 4
Nepal’s rich biodiversity is globally significant - but protecting it requires constant balance between conservation and community needs.
In this episode, Nepali ornithologist and conservationist Dr. Hem Sagar Baral speaks with Dr. Sunita Chaudhary, Ecosystem Services Specialist at ICIMOD, and Dr. Krishna Prasad Acharya, Secretary-General of SAWEN, and former Director General of the Department of Forest, and Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, to explore the evolution of biodiversity conservation and national parks in Nepal.
From protecting endangered species to recognizing the role of local communities as stewards of nature, the discussion highlights key milestones, ongoing challenges, and emerging approaches. The episode also reflects on UNDP’s contributions in strengthening ecosystem management, supporting community-based conservation, and promoting sustainable livelihoods - showing how protecting nature and supporting people must go hand in hand.
Stay tuned. More updates to follow....
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