The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Nepal and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Nepal on Friday signed a US$5 million partnership agreement to further strengthen parliament in Nepal.
The agreement was signed between Norwegian Ambassador to Nepal, Torun Dramdal and Resident Representative of UNDP Nepal, Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labé at UN House in Lalitpur. Dhruba Prasad Ghimire, secretary of the federal parliament secretariat, witnessed the agreement signing.
The Norwegian support has been extended to the ongoing Parliament Support Project until December 2027. Under the agreement, Norway has provided 40 million Norwegian Kroner (equivalent to US$ 3.92 million) to UNDP whereas UNDP will contribute an additional US$ 1.08 million to execute the project for next five years.
The second phase of the Parliament Support Project aims to strengthen research and evidence-based lawmaking and oversight practices; integrate gender equality, social inclusion and human rights approaches in parliaments' works; and, among others, escalate parliamentary outreach and openness in the federal and provincial parliaments of Nepal, according to a press release issued by the UNDP.
"It also emphasizes on enhancing the capacity of women MPs from disadvantaged groups and engaging civil society organizations for enhancing parliamentary transparency and accountability," read the press release.
"UNDP supports more than one third of Parliaments in the world. We are privileged here in Nepal too to continue our partnership with Nepal’s Parliament and the Kingdom of Norway. This contributes directly to our pledge to institution strengthening. This new chapter is very timely and is built on the lessons from the past. The project will provide a platform directly or indirectly for over 800 parliamentarians, through 8 Parliaments to address capacity needs, to better perform their functions, opportunities for peer learning, and accessing good practices through international cooperation. More importantly, we hope that this phase would further Nepal’s efforts to implement its Constitution, toward peace, justice, and sustainable development for all," Resident Representative of UNDP Nepal Medagangoda-Labé said.
"Norway is supporting parliaments and their secretariats to strengthen their parliamentary functions as part of contributing to implementation of Constitution of Nepal and institutionalization of federalism in Nepal," said Norwegian Ambassador to Nepal, Torun Dramdal, adding, "This new funding is crucial to strengthening capacities of the parliaments in enhancing parliamentary accountability."
“UNDP has been supporting Nepal and its parliament from building the constitution through a participatory process, which started in 2008 to its implementation today. I would like to thank both UNDP and Norway for extending the support and hope this will continue in the future as well,” Ghimire, secretary at federal parliament secretariat, said.
The Norwegian Embassy in Nepal has been supporting UNDP Nepal for implementation and institutionalization of federalism through the parliaments since 2018.
UNDP’s support to Nepal’s parliamentary process has continued since 2008, all the way through the complex constitution building process.
According to the press release, UNDP is currently supporting one in three parliaments around the world in an effort to build inclusive and participative political institutions, to develop sustainable capacities in legislators and parliamentary staff, to share best democratic practices, and to strengthen dialogue with civil society to prevent violence and promote women’s participation.
