The Fourth South Asian Conference on Public Policy and Governance commenced at Nepal Administrative Staff College (NASC) on July 7, 2022 with the central theme of “Deepening Democracy: Reflecting on the foundation years of federalism in Nepal”. Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Hon'ble Rajendra Prasad Shrestha inaugurated the two days' conference. Executive Director of NASC, Dr. Rajan Khanal chaired the inaugural session. Senior Director of Studies Mr. Trilochan Pokharel welcomed the chief guest Hon'ble Rajendra Prasad Shrestha and all the distinguished dignitaries, invitees and participants of the conference. Mr. Pokharel highlighted that this fourth South Asian Conference is the continuation of the conference series that was initiated in 2017 as a Policy Discourse and Research Conference. He further added that the second and third series were held sequentially within the time frame on 2018 and 2019 with the central themes "Towards Justice and Prosperity" and "Expanding Public Choices and Market Opportunities" respectively. Mr. Pokharel remarked that though the fourth conference series is commencing today, its idea was already preconceived on 2020, but was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID pandemic. He further elaborated that we are continuing it as a national conference with an aim to continue the conference series with a country focus mode and reflect on the foundation years of federalism in Nepal.
In his inaugural speech, Hon'ble minister Rajendra Prasad Shrestha shared that principles and theories become pragmatic when they are reflected in our behaviors. With this analogy, he remarked that the successful functioning of federalism in Nepal is also reflected on the way our three-tier governments are functioning. He further elaborated that for the successful implementation of the federal structure of Nepal so we should regularly have a public discourse on our public policies to promote good governance and prosperity of Nepal. He concluded his remarks by coveting that this two days' conference will have expert plenary discussions on problems, challenges and opportunities of federalism in Nepal to further strengthen Nepal as a Federal Democratic Republic Nation.
Finally, Executive Director Dr. Rajan Khanal put his closing remarks of the inaugural session by highlighting that this fourth conference seeks to reflect back on the five glorious years of implementing federalism in Nepal. He highlighted that we need to reflect on the politics of federalism; administrative and fiscal aspects of federalism; intergovernmental relationships; policy, planning and delivery; and the sub-national governments—which are the subthemes of this conference. Dr. Khanal expressed confidence that this conference will provide a forum to discuss and share practices as well as experiences of public policy, development activities and governance in federal Nepal and help make a common understanding for deepening the democracy and discuss about the problems faced and the way to resolve it.
The conference is scheduled for July 7 to July 8, 2022.