Kathmandu. Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has said that increasing unplanned urbanization has brought problems to the world and the Asia and Pacific region has also been affected by it. In her remarks after chairing the 81st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNScape) starting today in Bangkok, she said that the region is facing several serious challenges and unplanned urbanization is one of them.
Addressing a session on ‘Resilient and Sustainable Urban Development in Asia and the Pacific’, Foreign Minister Dr. Rana said, “Urban areas are also engines of growth, innovation and opportunity. But unplanned urbanization is causing many problems. Therefore, we need well-planned urban development.” She emphasized on environment-friendly and sustainable urban development and said that for this, investment in inclusive and green cities should be increased. She emphasized the need to strengthen the network between cities, make a strong plan for demographic transformation, and adopt financial support measures from diverse sources.
Minister Dr. Rana said that problems such as financial risks and limitations, lack of investment in sustainable infrastructure, trade fragmentation and protectionist tendencies, and the ‘digital divide’ have been seen in the Asia and Pacific region. She emphasized that since the digital divide has created a huge gap in the relationship between urban and rural communities, we should all pay attention to addressing it. Foreign Minister Dr. Rana expressed the view that the social security system in the Asia and Pacific region is still incomplete and weak, and expressed the need to increase investment in it by learning from the best practices of the world.
She stated that the region is at risk from climate-related disasters, clarifying that our cities and communities are at risk from floods, droughts and extreme weather events. The Foreign Minister said, “Our Himalayas, which are not only a source of water but also the basis of livelihood and civilization, are being unimaginably affected by the impact of climate change. Therefore, considering the current need to increase investment in climate resilience and early warning systems, let us work towards solving the problem with cooperation and collaboration.”
She said that Nepal is also taking steps in this area to resolve the current situation, ensure the future of tomorrow’s generation and the security of the entire planet. Minister Dr. Rana informed that Nepal will take initiatives to address the climate change situation and its challenges through the Sagarmatha Dialogue to be organized by Nepal in the upcoming ‘May’.
She emphasized that regional unity and collective cooperation are necessary to solve all these problems. She said, ‘In this era, no country can solve all these challenges alone. Regional cooperation is indispensable to make our collective efforts meaningful.’ She said that Nepal has always been committed to inclusive development, regional cooperation and the values of the United Nations.
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