Stakeholder Interaction on LDC Graduation and Its Impact on Children
On 13th August 2024, Consortium Nepal with the support of Save the Children Organized the Stakeholder Interaction on Nepal’s LDC Graduation and its impact on Children. The main objective of the program was to discuss about the impact of LDC graduation on Children. The event brought together government officials, CSOs, child-focused networks, children and international partners to discuss the challenges and opportunities that this change might bring, especially for Nepal’s children, who are often the most vulnerable.
While Nepal has made great progress in human development and economic growth, the discussions revealed concerns about losing benefits like preferential trade agreements, concessional financing, and international aid. These are critical for providing essential services like education, healthcare, and social protection, which are vital for children’s well-being.
Experts such as Dr. Giridhari Sharma Poudel and journalist Janardan Baral shared their insights. Dr. Poudel spoke about the economic challenges Nepal might face after LDC graduation, especially for sectors dependent on international markets, like agriculture and small businesses. Baral shared these concerns, stressing the need for strong policies to support these industries during the transition. Additionally, Subash Nepali from UNCO emphasized that Nepal’s progress must not come at the expense of children’s rights and well-being. He urged that development plans should prioritize children to ensure they continue to benefit from education, healthcare, and social protection.
The event saw a strong commitment from all participants to focus on children’s rights during and after Nepal’s LDC graduation. Ram Prasad Subedi, representing the NGO Federation Nepal and Kiran Thapa from NACG Nepal, pledged to advocate for children’s rights throughout this transition. This commitment shared by other participants, who highlighted the need for coordinated efforts to address the specific needs of children as Nepal moves forward. While LDC graduation marks a significant achievement for Nepal, careful planning and collaboration are essential to ensure that this progress benefits everyone, especially the children.