Global experts gather in Kathmandu to explore social protection's role in reducing poverty, building resilience, and investing in human capital.
KATHMANDU, 12 September 2024 – The Government of Nepal National Planning Commission, in partnership with UNICEF and the World Bank, is organizing the second international conference on social protection in Kathmandu today and tomorrow.
Inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, the conference titled “Resilient and Inclusive Social Protection: Investing in Human Capital Development” aims to foster critical dialogue on how social protection can be leveraged to reduce poverty, build resilience, and invest in the human capital of future generations.
"This conference comes at a crucial time as Nepal is investing in its human capital,” said Minister Paudel. “We are committed to building a more inclusive social protection system that serves the needs of all, especially our children and future generations.”
Nepal is undergoing rapid economic, social, and demographic changes, with approximately 20 percent of the population still living below the poverty line and significant inequality remaining a concern. Nepal’s Constitution guarantees the right to social security for vulnerable groups, but much of its investment in social protection has focused on the elderly, with limited attention to children and other vulnerable groups.
Vice Chairperson of the National Planning Commission Shivaraj Adhikari stated: "The Government of Nepal, through the Sixteenth Plan, has given high priority to human capital development. It is necessary to increase investment in children for this purpose." He highlighted that human development is both a means and an end in the context of the country's development and emphasized that social protection plays a crucial role in building human capital.
Although Nepal has been increasing investment in social protection, it has had only a limited impact on reducing poverty, building human capital, and promoting resilience against shocks at various stages of life.
“By investing in early years through universal child grants we can break intergenerational cycles of poverty," said Sanjay Wijesekera, Regional Director for UNICEF South Asia. "Through this conference we are reaffirming our commitment to children and young people while challenging ourselves to create a world where every child can thrive."
The conference builds on momentum from the 2019 International Conference on Social Protection which promoted policy debate on strengthening social protection for children. This year’s event provides a platform for reflecting on progress since 2019 as well as knowledge exchange towards achieving SDG Target 1.3 which calls for implementing nationally appropriate social protection systems for all.
“In light of economic challenges global conflicts climate change adaptive social protection systems are more critical than ever,” said Preeti Arora World Bank Operations Manager for Maldives Nepal Sri Lanka. “Effective social protection can buffer vulnerable populations from crises while enabling them to invest in education healthcare essential services enhancing their productivity.”
The conference brings together senior representatives from Nepal's government UNICEF World Bank regional global experts stakeholders from various sectors.
Michael Samson Director Economic Policy Research Institute delivered keynote address ‘Investment Social Protection Human Capital Inclusion Resilience Global Perspective.’