Nepal is undergoing a period of transition and while it has faced myriad obstacles over the last 20 years, it has made significant development progress. Emerging after a decade-long conflict and two devastating earthquakes, Nepal now looks forward to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, implementing its newly promulgated Constitution and ensuring no one is left behind. The United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2018-2022 sets out the UN partnership aiming to support Nepal as it carves out its development agenda over the next five years.

At the core of this new UNDAF are the SDGs, the Government of Nepal’s Fourteenth Plan, and international commitments and norms to which Nepal is a party. Leaping off from the lessons learned from the previous UNDAF (2013-2017), this new framework builds upon successes, incorporates emerging issues and agreements, and serves to address Nepal’s larger economic, social, and environmental objectives. The four UNDAF outcomes weave together linked thematic areas:

1) Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth;

2) Social Development;

3) Resilience, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change; and

4) Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights.

These outcomes are directly linked to the national priorities as laid out in the Government’s Fourteenth Plan, and the globally endorsed 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Moreover, they are built upon the key principles of the 2030 Agenda ensuring all people enjoy peace and prosperity, while protecting the planet, as outlined in the Road to Dignity by 2030. These themes also underpin Nepal’s 2015 Constitution and are in line with the Istanbul Programme of Action on the renewed and strengthened partnership for development.

Despite Nepal’s geographical disparities, these commitments are inclusive, transparent and ambitious, but no one must be left behind. The processes of assisting Nepal achieve the SDGs and become a middle-income country (MIC) by 2030 are integral components of the UNDAF outcomes. These processes were identified in the preparatory work undertaken by the Nepal UN Country Team regarding the significant opportunities as well as challenges that they pose for the achievement of the country’s development priorities and goals. The UN Country Team adheres to the Deliver as One principles to conduct coherent and coordinated work, drawing on diversified expertise and resources of all UN agencies.

Oversight of the UNDAF implementation is bolstered by a Steering Committee comprising government partners and stakeholders, and working groups for communications, outcomes, and monitoring and evaluation, gender, and operations. These working groups bring their expertise to assess and guide the implementation of the UNDAF. Transparency and accountability are threaded throughout the entire process, ensuring that the principles of the UN and the global community are upheld every step of the way as we work with Nepal to achieve its development goals.