Nepal close to reaching MDG targets: NPC

KATHMANDU: The government has informed that Nepal is close to reaching the targets of Millennium Development Gpals (MDGs). The National Planning Commission (NPC), the United Nations Country Team in Nepal and other development partners on Friday marked what they called “vital moment in history’s largest and most successful anti-poverty push” – the 1,000 remaining days to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

A joint statement issued by NPC and the UN said Nepal is likely to achieve many MDGs targets such as reducing the proportion of people below national poverty line, achieving 100 per cent enrollment in primary education, reducing child and maternal mortality and access to improved drinking water facilities.

However, targets related to achieving full and productive employment, reducing hunger (stunting and under-weight children) and improving the environment will be difficult to achieve. Extra efforts are also required to ensure that progress is equitably distributed to reduce disparity between geographical locations and social groups.

“We have 1,000 days to close the gaps that remain for the Millennium Development Goals in Nepal – 1,000 days to accelerate action,” UN Resident Coordinator Terence D. Jones said. “The UN family will continue its cooperation with the Government and other partners to step-up collective efforts and re-energize the global movement to free people from extreme poverty and to address other critical human development issues,” he further added

Vice Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, Deependra Bahadur Kshetry, noted that “Nepal has made great progress since the Millennium Development Goals were set, but we still need to work together to reach all MDGs before 2015”