Sections:
Press Release
9 March 2007
Pushing forward the peace process
Key international donors, including the World Bank, United Nations (UN) and Asian Development Bank (ADB), met earlier this week with senior Government officials to discuss the way forward on supporting the current peace process in Nepal.
Building on the progress made over the past year, including the signing of the peace agreement in November 2006 and the anticipated formation of an interim Government, the meeting helped set out priorities for international governments and donors how best to work with the political leadership in Nepal.
All donors agreed that it was important to seize what is a critical moment in Nepal’s history and support the country in its process towards a sustainable peace. They highlighted the importance of the need for the political process to include all parties, in particular ensuring that previously excluded groups had their concerns addressed.
Donor Governments, including the UK, Denmark, Finland and Norway, agreed on the need for a co-ordinated approach in order to deliver a peace dividend for the people of Nepal. But they stressed the need for balance to be struck between high expectations for rapid results and the many needs that will take time to be addressed fully.
UN special representative, Ian Martin, provided an update on the current political situation outlining the significant progress made so far, but highlighting the real challenges that remain.
The meeting was hosted by the UK Department for International Development which, along with four other donors present today, has committed to support the Government led Nepal Peace Trust Fund. The meeting comes ahead of Gareth Thomas, UK Minister for International Development, visiting Nepal next week (11-13 March).
Gareth Thomas said:
“International support for the peace process in Nepal is vital, to help the Government and other political parties build a lasting and successful peace.
“All of the donors represented at today’s meeting are positively engaging with how they can best support the process over the coming months. Working together, through the political process in Nepal as well as international support, is the only way forward.”
Ian Martin, the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative to Nepal, said:
“I have been greatly encouraged by the consensus among Nepal’s international donors of importance of the peace process and their willingness to support the UN in their role at this critical juncture in Nepal’s transition.”
Dr Jagadish Pokharel, vice chairman of Nepal’s national planning commission, said:
“The meeting has provided an excellent forum to help our understanding of each other. I have been impressed by the sensitivity and frankness of our discussions with donors on the vital issues of peace building, development challenges and donor commitments to Nepal.”
Notes to editors
1. Gareth Thomas is visiting Nepal between 11-13 March 2007. He will meet with the Prime Minister, other key government figures. He will also visit Sankhuwasava to see some of the challenges that Nepal faces in coping with climate change and the benefits of UK aid by visiting local schools and road construction projects. More detail on the visit can be obtained from the DFID newsroom on 020 7023 0533.
2. Following recent political events, including the signing of the peace agreement between the Government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) on the 21st November 2006, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) is one of five donors that have supported the government in setting up the Nepal Peace Trust Fund that will be instrumental in pushing forward the peace process. It is anticipated that an interim government will be established shortly.
3. DFID hosted an international conference “Development Dilemmas” on 5-6 March looking at lessons to be learned from conflict and post-conflict situations and the challenges for development in Asia, with a particular focus on Nepal. This was followed on 7 March by a donors conference for Nepal, involving senior Nepalese Government officials, the World Bank, UN Special Representative, Asian Development Bank and key donors including the UK, Norway, Denmark and Finland.
4. Nepal remains one of the poorest countries in Asia with 31% of the population still living under the poverty line. Political instability has made it harder for reform initiatives and development to be effective. The country is going through a critical period in its history. The conflict has claimed more than 15,000 lives since 1996. The political developments of April 2006 have given a new hope of a return to multi party democracy but launching and sustaining an inclusive peace process and addressing the underlying causes of conflict remain the main challenges for Nepal today. The backdrop to the conflict is deep-seated poverty, poor governance and discrimination. Poverty levels declined by 11% between 1996 and 2004, but the progress for different groups is uneven. This rate, for some excluded ethnic groups, is almost double than the national average. The poorest and hardest hit conflict regions have a poverty incidence almost 20% higher than that of the region surrounding the Capital.
For further information, contact Nic Fearon-Low on 020 7023 0533 or 020 7023 0600, e-mail pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk or call our Public Enquiries Point on 0845 300 4100.
United
Nations in Nepal