The Governments of Denmark and Nepal today agreed on two new five-year development cooperation programmes totalling more than 100 million US Dollars.
The atmosphere was one of true cooperation, when Secretary Shanta Raj Subedi of the Ministry of Finance of Nepal and the Ambassador of Denmark to Nepal, H.E. Kirsten Geelan this afternoon signed two agreements for Danish development cooperation to Nepal.
A new five-year programme for sustainable peace, human rights and good governance totalling more than 30 million US dollars ensures Denmark’s continued engagement in Nepal in respect of promoting and protecting democratic principles and basic human rights for the citizens of Nepal. With the programme the aim is to strengthen the rule of law and build strong institutions and mechanisms for service delivery and accountability. The new programme is aligned with the Comprehensive Peace Accord and Interim Development Plan with respect to sustainable peace and equitable growth, strengthening economic and social services as well as good governance and effective service delivery. Through strengthened collaboration between government, state institutions and civil society and promoting ownership and leadership in Nepal the programme will focus on peace building and democratic development, local governance and access to justice.
The Ambassador of Denmark states “I am very pleased to have signed a five-year programme securing the continued cooperation between Denmark and Nepal with respect to Peace, rights and good governance. We look forward to working with a wide range of Nepali partners with the aim of fostering social cohesion and inclusive development and thereby helping build a peaceful and prosperous Nepal.”
In addition, an agreement was signed on a new inclusive growth programme supporting the commercialization of value chains in Eastern Nepal totalling 70 million US Dollars. With this programme Denmark enters a new area of development assistance in Nepal. “This is a new sector for our engagement in Nepal, but we are firm believers that robust, sustainable and inclusive growth is essential for poverty reduction and lasting peace”, said Ambassador of Denmark. The programme is named UNNATI, using the Nepali word for “prosperity” and “progress”.
The programme is aligned with the Government of Nepal’s own priorities and focuses on the agriculture sector given its importance as a main contributor to the economy and to employment. The UNNATI programme will be supporting the development of the value chains of ginger, dairy and orthodox tea in the seven Eastern districts of Nepal.
“Both the public sector as well as the private sector will be key partners in the new inclusive growth programme, and we look forward to working together to strengthen market-based inclusive growth and reduce poverty in Nepal”, stated the Ambassador of Denmark.
Denmark and Nepal have a long-standing partnership dating back more than two decades. Apart from the two new programmes, Denmark is already a key partner within the renewable energy sector, supporting Nepal’s National and Rural Renewable Energy Programme with approximately 40 million US Dollars for the period 2012-2017.
For further details please contact:
Mr. Saroj Nepal, Senior Programme Officer, Embassy of Denmark
Tel.: 4413010
Email: sarnep@um.dk