Bishnu Prasad Paudel
I am delighted to speak as a panelists in this important forum being organized in such a beautiful city of the People’s Republic of China.
We extend our sincere appreciation for the invitation to participate in this year’s Boao Forum for Asia (BFA). This esteemed forum provides a valuable space for dialogue on issues crucial to the development of Asia and the world at large. This year’s theme, “The Global Development Initiative: Promoting World Peace,” is particularly timely as we confront complex global challenges in our path to development and peace, that demand collaborative solutions.
We commend China’s leadership in launching the Global Development Initiative (GDI). The GDI’s emphasis on a people-cantered approach, leaving no country behind, and addressing priority areas such as poverty reduction, food security, climate change, and digital development resonates strongly with Nepal’s own development priorities.
The BFA’s longstanding contribution to fostering cooperation in Asia aligns with the GDI’s call for revitalized global partnerships. By working together, sharing knowledge, and fostering innovation, we believe the international community can achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.
I take this opportunity to share with you that Nepal is joining the growing number of countries that have expressed support for the GDI and its objectives. The Government of Nepal recently decided to join the Group of Friends of the GDI, further underscoring our commitment to this important initiative.
The GDI’s core principles align with President Xi Jinping’s vision of a shared future for mankind – a vision that emphasizes peace and interconnectedness. A truly shared future can only be realized when all nations, developed and developing alike, have equitable opportunities for progress and prosperity.
While talking from the individual perspective of my own country Nepal, which is a close neighbour of China, stands to gain significantly from the success of the GDI. We are confident that increased collaboration in areas like infrastructure development, technology transfer, and capacity building will accelerate Nepal’s national development efforts. We look forward to the GDI facilitating projects that are transformative to our economy and address Nepal’s specific development needs.
While we recognize the high potential of the GDI and are ready to wholeheartedly support China’s commitment to a multilateral approach, we also believe that, to ensure the GDI’s goals of sustainable and equitable development are achieved, it is important to acknowledge and address concerns such as transparency and debt sustainability. Similarly, concessional financing, knowledge sharing, and projects tailored towards the specific needs of developing countries will not only further solidify the GDI’s purpose but also bolster trust and inclusiveness within the initiative.
Nepal values multilateralism and remains committed to contributing actively to discussions within the GDI framework and other international forums. We will work with China and like-minded partners to further promote a development agenda that is both universal and beneficial to all. Through open and constructive dialogue, addressing all voices, and focusing on areas where needs are strongest, we believe the GDI can become a powerful force for building a more prosperous, peaceful, and sustainable future for the world. #Nepal
CPN UML Vice Chairman Bishnu Prasad Paudel was addressing the Boao Forum for Asia titled “The Global Development Initiative: Promoting World Peace” on 28 March 2024 at Boao, China.
