Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI) organized its 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, November 22, 2024, at Hotel Himalaya, Kupondole, Lalitpur, celebrating over two decades of active service as a policy research institute. The AGM was divided into a closed session and a public session. 

The event commenced with a closed session in the morning, where NDRI’s general members gathered to review yearly reports and assess the institute’s overall status. This internal meeting fostered candid discussions on past accomplishments and strategies for continued growth, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and goals. 

The public session, held in the afternoon, featured participation from NDRI members, NDRI staff and prominent dignitaries both in person and virtually. This event provided a platform for reflection, celebration, and forward planning. It brought together members, staff, alumni, stakeholders, and esteemed guests to review the year’s achievements and set a course for the future. 

The ceremony was graced by the presence of Prof. Dr. Arjun Kumar Baral, Executive Director of CEDA, and Dr. Surya Raj Acharya, Infrastructure Specialist, as special guests. Mr. Rajendra Khatri, Senior Research Associate at NDRI, served as the Master of Ceremony for the event. 

The program began with a round of introductions, followed by Welcome Remarks delivered by Dr. Rudra Suwal, Secretary of NDRI. Dr. Suwal emphasized that NDRI continues to undertake research projects in response to current needs, incorporating recommendations and guidance from its supporters.  

Dr. Shankar Shrestha, Executive Director of NDRI, provided a comprehensive overview of the projects, initiatives, events, and outreach activities conducted throughout the year. In addition, Dr. Shrestha was pleased to share about the achievement of NDRI as the recipient of the prestigious Neeti Samman 2081 / Policy Honor 2024 provided by the Government of Nepal. 

The unveiling of the Annual Report 2023/24 (FY 2080/81) was a key moment, led by NDRI’s founding members (Dr. Jagannath Adhikari, Dr. Krishna Pahari, Dr. Laxmi Prasad Devkota, Dr. Nawa Raj Khatiwada, Prof. Dr. Punya Prasad Regmi, and Prof. Dr. Tara Nidhi Bhattarai) alongside special guests Dr. Surya Raj Acharya and Prof. Dr. Arjun Kumar Baral. 

Prof. Dr. Punya Prasad Regmi, Senior Research Specialist and Founding Member of NDRI, highlighted NDRI’s vision since its establishment in 2004, emphasizing evidence-based research for policy advocacy and the objective of capacity-building for young researchers. 

In his remarks, Dr. Jagannath Adhikari, Senior Research Specialist and Founding President of NDRI, shared his journey, encouraging colleagues to remain motivated and responsible while continuing the initiatives undertaken by NDRI. 

Representing NDRI staff, Ms. Shreya Bajimaya, Senior Research Associate, shared her appreciation for her colleagues’ collaborative efforts in working toward the shared vision and goals of NDRI. She emphasized the importance of a long-term vision for the organization, incorporating employees' opinions, challenges, and suggestions. 

Dr. Surya Raj Acharya noted NDRI’s significant potential as a think tank to address research gaps in Nepal, where higher education often lacks robust research activities. He urged NDRI to prioritize multidisciplinary research that benefits the country beyond fulfilling funding agency requirements. 

Similarly, Prof. Dr. Arjun Kumar Baral praised NDRI’s activities and expressed hopes for further progress. He highlighted the need of collaboration among institutions like CEDA and NDRI and others to achieve bigger impact. 

The session concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Krishna Pahari, NDRI President and Chair of the event, who appealed to stakeholders to collaborate for Nepal’s prosperity and development by leveraging the power of evidence-based research. 

The event’s major highlights included the valuable insights and constructive feedback from the NDRI family and guests. These contributions have inspired NDRI to renew its commitment to excellence in research and development.