The World Bank has approved $100 million to support Nepal’s efforts in fostering greener, more resilient, and inclusive development.
In a press statement, the World Bank announced that its Board of Executive Directors has approved a $100 million Development Policy Operation (DPO) to assist Nepal in advancing its green, resilient, and inclusive development goals. This funding is part of a programmatic series of three DPOs designed to enhance Nepal’s sustainability framework.
“This programmatic DPO series serves as a catalyst for Nepal to build greater resilience, sustainability, and long-term growth for all Nepalis,” stated David Sislen, World Bank Regional Country Director for Nepal, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
The initiative supports Nepal’s policy agenda across various sectors, including green fiscal tools, water security, irrigation, sustainable land and forest management, and the development of climate and disaster information systems.
Since 2021, Nepal’s government has implemented an ambitious action plan focused on environmental sustainability, resilience, and inclusive development. This model addresses critical challenges such as unemployment, the effects of pandemics, expanding economic opportunities for vulnerable groups, and mitigating environmental risks impacting the nation’s people, prosperity, and environment.
The World Bank’s DPO series plays a pivotal role in supporting Nepal’s transition to a more sustainable development trajectory. These policies, shaped by stakeholder engagement and aligned with Nepal’s development priorities, aim to improve air quality, enhance hydro-meteorological services for disaster risk reduction, secure water availability through better irrigation and supply systems, strengthen community forest management, and advance land use planning.
“Nepal is implementing a robust policy program that recognizes resilience is most effective when sustainability and inclusion are integrated,” remarked Stephen Danyo, World Bank Program Leader for the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, as well as the Task Team Leader for the operation.
