Nepal’s transition to green, resilient and inclusive development (GRID) for sustainable recovery, growth and jobs

In 2021, Nepal adopted the Green, Resilient and Inclusive Development (GRID) approach to systematically address the impacts of COVID-19 and Nepal’s structural challenges, including slow national job creation, strong vulnerability to climate change and environmental degradation, low inclusion rates, and significant infrastructure gaps.

The GRID approach involves a fundamental change in risk and development management: from a simple reactive response to a deliberate proactive stimulus strategy for long-term green growth, climate action and sustainable development for all.

Led by the Government of Nepal, the GRID approach is supported by development partners who have been convened with the co-leadership of the World Bank and UK FCDO, to align financial and non-financial support.

Development partners have already committed $ 3.2 billion in resources and identified up to $ 4.2 billion in potential future support in sectors affected by GRID.

Nepal’s GRID approach builds on several strategic initiatives such as Nepal’s Nationally Determined Contribution and its 2020 Relief, Recovery and Resilience (3R) plan.

The GRID high-level roundtable is an important step in setting direction and providing information to the government to prepare its GRID strategic action plan for the next decade and beyond. The roundtable is organized by the Government of Nepal, the World Bank and the British Embassy in Kathmandu. It aims to:

• Reconfirm, coordinate and plan for scaling up financial and non-financial support to Nepal’s GRID goals.
• Exchange views on potential priority investments, incentives (markets and policies), institutional actions and information needed to support Nepal’s GRID transition.
• Sign the Kathmandu Joint Declaration on GRID.

Speakers and panelists

Mr. Janardan Sharma, Honorable Minister of Finance, Government of Nepal
Mr. Shanker Das Bairagi, Chief Secretary, Government of Nepal	Mr. Madhu Kumar Marasini, Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Government of Nepal
Dr Anne Marie Gulde-Wolf, Deputy Director, Asia and the Pacific Department, International Monetary Fund	Mr. Hartwig Schafer, Vice-President, South Asia Region, World Bank
Mr. Jean-Louis Ville, Acting Director for Asia, Central Asia, Middle East / Gulf and Pacific, European Commission	Mr. Ken O’Flaherty, Regional Ambassador, Asia-Pacific and South Asia to the COP26 Climate Summit, United Kingdom
Mr. Neil Buhne, Regional Director, United Nations Development Coordination Office, Asia-Pacific	Dr Shixin Chen, Vice President, South Asia Department and Central and West Asia Department, Asian Development Bank
Dr Nilam Dhungana Timsina, Deputy Governor, Nepal Rastra Bank	Dr. Radha Wagle, Co-Secretary, Ministry of Forests and Environment ]
Ms. Sima Kumari Chhetri, Mayor of the Municipality of Putalibazar	Dr Arnico Panday, Senior Advisor, National Planning Commission
Mr. Kushal Gurung, Founder and CEO, Windpower Nepal Pvt. Ltd / Member, Energy Development Council	Ms. Sneha Pandey, Climate Policy Analyst, Climate Analytics
Mr. Sunil KC, CEO, NMB Bank Limited / Member of Executive Committee, Federation of Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industry	Mr. Sujeev Shakya (Moderator), CEO, Beed Management Pvt. Ltd.

Last updated: September 23, 2021