The 22^nd Annual Day Program of the Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI) was a momentous occasion celebrated on April 22, 2025 (9^th Baishakh, 2082 B.S.) at Hotel Himalaya in Lalitpur. This lively event brought together an audience of over 120 in-person participants and over 500 who participated virtually. The participants included high-level government officials at the policy level, research and academia, members of the diplomatic community, UN organizations, development partners, civil society, and media representatives, all united to reflect on and discuss the progress of, as well as the way forward for, Nepal’s development journey.

The event kicked off with an opening ceremony that included the national anthem, the lighting of a traditional lamp, and warm welcome remarks from Dr. Shikha Thapa Magar, the Executive Director of NDRI. In her speech, Dr. Thapa Magar emphasized that the event was more than an anniversary celebration; it is an affirmation of shared commitments to Nepal’s inclusive development. She emphasized that for over two decades, NDRI has stood at the intersection of research, policy, and action, guided by the principles of inclusion, resilience, and sustainability, values deeply embedded in NDRI’s identity. She concluded her welcome remarks with the aspiration that today’s dialogue would ignite tomorrow’s transformation through action.

An introductory video highlighted NDRI’s vital role in promoting evidence-based policymaking and sustainable development.
 

Keynote Address and the Remarks:

The standout moment of the day was an engaging keynote lecture by Ms. Chandni Joshi, a renowned and well-respected Gender, Rights, and Policy Specialist. Dr. Manjeshwori Singh, General Secretary at NDRI, introduced Ms. Joshi as a pioneering figure in gender justice, policy advocacy, and rights-based development across Nepal and South Asia. With over six decades of professional experience, she is widely regarded as a transformative leader and trailblazer in gender mainstreaming, institution-building, and regional cooperation.

Ms. Chandni Joshi addressed “Nepal’s Pathway to Inclusive, Resilient Development in the Evolving National and International Context.” She also highlighted reimagining Nepal’s development path in today’s rapidly changing global context. With decades of grassroots and policy experience, she championed evidence-based, inclusive, and action-oriented research as the foundation for meaningful change. Emphasizing that inclusive and resilient development requires the collective efforts of government, private sector, civil society, development partners, and individuals, she highlighted the urgency of addressing structural inequalities, shifting demographics, and climate injustices. She called for a bold and united transformation, rooted in courage, synergy, and spirit, to build a Nepal that not only withstands challenges but thrives as a model of equity, empowerment, and innovation in South Asia and beyond. Her full lecture is available here.

Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada, the Economic and Development Advisor to the Prime Minister of Nepal, served as the Chief Guest on the program. He emphasized the need for meaningful inclusivity beyond symbolic representation, highlighting that inclusive and resilient development must address structural inequalities across gender, geography, caste, ability, and economic status. He advocated for a balanced role between the state and the market to ensure equity and underscored that rapid, inclusive-resilient, and sustainable development is essential for Nepal to overcome uncertainties and build long-term resilience. He also shared that he would convey the valuable research and policy advocacy work being carried out by NDRI to the Prime Minister of Nepal, recognizing its relevance in shaping inclusive and resilient development strategies.

Ms. Alice Akunga, the UNICEF Representative and Acting UN Resident Coordinator highlighted that climate change is a lived reality with devastating impacts, particularly on children and marginalized communities, and called for urgent, inclusive, and collective action to build resilient systems that protect lives, ensure equity, and secure a sustainable future for the next generations. She also reaffirmed the continued support of the United Nations to Nepal’s journey towards inclusive, resilient economic development.

Dr. Krishna Pahari, the President of NDRI, in his closing remarks, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Guest, Special Guest, and Keynote Speaker for their insightful contributions. He appreciated their presence and thoughtful reflections, which enriched the discourse on Nepal’s pathway to inclusive and resilient development. Dr. Pahari also acknowledged the valuable participation of all dignitaries, panelists, and attendees, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration and collective action in addressing Nepal’s evolving development challenges. He highlighted that NDRI believes in the power of evidence for social transformation and said that NDRI would like to work with all stakeholders and will continue to support Nepal’s journey to inclusive, resilient development by supporting policies through credible evidence.

Engaging Panel Discussion

After the keynote address, there was an engaging panel discussion titled “Way Forward for Inclusive, Resilient, and Sustainable Future in the Shifting Global and Regional Landscape.” This session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Lekhnath Sharma, the Executive Chairperson of the Policy Research Institute, and skillfully moderated by Prof. Dr. Punya Prasad Regmi, a Senior Research Specialist at NDRI. Prof. Regmi first started by setting the context by presenting the current situation in Nepal in terms of economy, inclusion, and resilience. The panel featured distinguished experts who shared their insights on various aspects of development: Prof. Ram Prasad Gyanwali from the Central Department of Economics at Tribhuvan University, who was also a member of the high level committee by the Government to suggest economic reform, spoke about Nepal’s economic trajectory and the challenges it currently faces, particularly the slow pace of economic growth in the past few years, and highlighted the recent recommendations made to the Government to speed up the economy. Ms. Sangeeta Rana Thapa, a Gender Equality Expert and former UN Women Country Representative, highlighted the importance of gender and social inclusion in driving economic growth. She mentioned that Nepal has relatively progressive gender policies in the context of South Asia, but there is room for improvement in effective implementation.  Mr. Bishow Parajuli, the former UN Resident Coordinator and former WFP Representative, as well as Director of Partnerships & Government Relations at WFP HQ, discussed the need for international cooperation in today’s shifting geopolitical landscape. He opined that in this situation, where the international funding from traditional sources is likely to decline, Nepal needs to use a smart and wise approach to attract funding from non-traditional sources such as corporations and climate finance. He also said that, given the current trajectory and funding projects, it is likely that Nepal will not meet the SDG goals by 2023.

Prof. Sharma concluded the panel discussion session by urging a shift from externally driven models to development approaches rooted in Nepal’s own socio-economic and ecological context. He urged all stakeholders to reflect, collaborate, and pilot locally grounded strategies that promote inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth.

The session wrapped up with a heartfelt vote of thanks from Dr. Nawa Raj Khatiwada, a Senior Research Specialist at NDRI, acknowledging the contributions of all guests, speakers, participants, and the NDRI team. Reflecting on the role of technology and evidence-based knowledge in shaping rational decision-making, he emphasized that while tools like AI have simplified information access, their impact must now be translated into improved governance, inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainable development practices, in Nepal and globally.

Simultaneous sign language interpretation during the deliberations was present at the event to facilitate differently abled persons, signifying the inclusiveness of the NDRI.

Ms. Ashma Aryal, the Outreach and Communication Officer at NDRI, served as the Master of Ceremony and guided the program.

The event concluded with a networking lunch, providing an opportunity for reflection, engagement, and potential future collaborations.

Media coverage:

NDRI media release of this event is provided here.

Various media platforms covered the Event; some links are provided below:

1. Prime Television HD
2. Annapurna Post
3. Ecosphere News