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Summary

This report highlights Nepal's active participation in the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) 2024, held in Manila from October 14-18. Led by Executive Chief Anil Pokhrel of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) under the banner of NPDRR and coordinated by DPNet, the 43-member delegation showcased Nepal’s commitment to resilient and inclusive disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies. Focusing on three thematic pillars, disaster risk financing, gender-responsive and inclusive governance, and localized resilience the delegation presented Nepal’s progress and challenges. Key contributions included a position paper, accessible DRR materials in Braille, and an earthquake shake table demonstration, underscoring Nepal’s innovations in DRR. Throughout the conference, Nepal emphasized the importance of inclusive governance, community engagement, and integrating indigenous knowledge with digital tools for early warning systems. The delegation highlighted the need to merge DRR with broader development and finance initiatives and foster partnerships among government, private sector, and civil society. Additionally, Nepal’s representatives advocated for climate justice, calling for compensation for climate-induced losses given the country’s heightened vulnerability. A post-conference review session was held in Kathmandu on October 29, where Dr. Raju Thapa presented key insights from the conference, including the significance of AI, robust data systems, and youth education to foster resilience. Mr. Pokhrel praised the delegation for aligning approach with the DRRM Act to lead the delegation by NDRRMA this year and for presenting a strong Nepali presence across all conference segments, including main sessions, side events, parallel sessions, ignite stage presentations, and the marketplace. He stressed the importance of climate finance reforms and international cooperation to bolster Nepal’s DRR framework. The session concluded with a renewed commitment to apply these insights to strengthen Nepal’s disaster resilience, aligning with the Sendai Framework’s vision for a safer, more resilient future.