LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
Asia and the Pacific is at the forefront of global urbanization, with decisions made today shaping the region’s cities for generations to come.
In February, I visited India, where more than 200 million people are expected to be added to urban areas between 2025 and 2050. The dynamism of its cities and the engagement of national and local leaders highlighted both the opportunities and the scale of the challenges ahead. Across the region, rapid urban growth continues to put pressure on housing, infrastructure and basic services. With 9 out of top 10 megacities located in Asia, the need for effective urban planning is clear. Without it, growth risks deepening inequalities, straining resources and expanding informal settlements, which already house over 1.1 billion people globally. UN-Habitat is working with over 90 countries, including many across Asia and the Pacific, to support adequate housing and more inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban development, with a dedicated focus on housing, land and basic services from 2026 to 2029. Looking ahead, the World Urban Forum (WUF13), to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026, will be an important platform to share solutions and strengthen partnerships for action. I look forward to seeing many of you in Baku. Anacláudia Rossbach Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat
MESSAGE FROM REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
From February to March, I visited;
- Pakistan to attend a signing ceremony of new Japan funded project
- Thailand to participate in Asia Pacific forum on Sustainable Development
- Lao PDR for hand-over ceremony of water infrastructure supported by Adaptation Fund
- Papua New Guinea to attend the 7th Pacific Forum
The visit of four Asia Pacific countries, especially the field visit, reconfirmed the importance of participatory approach and tangible results on the ground while two forums reminded me of the need of strengthening regional collaboration for promoting SDG 11 & New Urban Agenda. Listening to the voices of many people from diverse standpoints in different countries widen our perspectives and deepen our understandings on urban issues. We would like to work with all of you who are working on urban challenges. Kazuko Ishigaki Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific
MESSAGE FROM NEPAL COUNTRY OFFICE
Nepal’s housing sector requires a more strategic, inclusive and integrated approach to ensure access to adequate, affordable, and secure housing for all. Housing is not merely a physical structure; it is fundamental to dignity, safety, and a sense of belonging. It shapes people's access to basic services, finance, education and livelihoods opportunities. Strengthening national policy direction, alongside enhanced capacity of local governments, will be critical to delivering context-responsive housing solutions across Nepal's diverse geographies. This calls for improved land governance, expanded access to serviced land, and a wider mix of financing mechanisms that address affordability across income groups. Equally important is the promotion of inclusive approaches that intentionally prioritize low-income and vulnerable populations, while enabling meaningful community participation. Valuing locally appropriate building practices and knowledge can help ensure solutions that are both culturally relevant and sustainable. We look forward to more discussion on Housing the World during the World Urban Forum, 17-22 May in Baku. Pragya Pradhan Habitat Programme Manager, UN-Habitat Nepal
Global South WASH Finance Conference Concludes with Seven-Point Declaration
The Global South WASH Financing and Sustainability Conference (GS WASH Finance 2026) concluded successfully on 3 April 2026 in Lalitpur, with the adoption of a seven-point declaration calling for fundamental reforms in sanitation financing governance. Jointly organized by the Ministry of Water Supply (MoWS), the Society of Public Health Engineers Nepal (SOPHEN), and Water Forum Nepal (WAFON), the three-day conference brought together representatives from 31 countries, including Nepal, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Kenya, India, and Bangladesh.
The declaration, read out by SOPHEN Chairperson, Er. Sharad Prasad Adhikari, on the final day, commits participating nations to mobilizing public, private, and blended finance to address long-standing WASH funding gaps. Key pledges include strengthening public financial management and evidence-based decision-making, expanding market-oriented financing models that harness private capital, philanthropy, and remittances, and integrating climate adaptation measures into all WASH investments. The declaration also calls for leveraging smart technologies- including digital tools, artificial intelligence, and real-time monitoring systems- to modernize service delivery, and for deeper cooperation among Global South nations. Importantly, delegates committed to transforming the conference into a permanent Global South WASH Financing Network, with a dedicated secretariat to be established to sustain ongoing collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity development.
On the financing governance front, a joint workshop by UN-Habitat and the Asian Institute of Technology's Global Water and Sanitation Center (AIT-GWSC), titled "Beyond Infrastructure: Financing Governance for Inclusive Sanitation Services," highlighted that inclusive outcomes are constrained not by a shortage of funding, but by how public finance systems prioritize and allocate sanitation investments. Chaired by Mr. Ramakanta Dawadi, Joint Secretary at Nepal's Ministry of Water Supply, the session stressed the need to systematically fund operation and maintenance alongside capital infrastructure, and to ensure that sanitation workers, persons with disabilities, women-led enterprises, and underserved communities are not excluded from formal financing and procurement processes. The Citywide Inclusive Sanitation Alliance Nepal (CWISAN), with its secretariat at UN-Habitat Nepal, also convened a high-level workshop on "Unlocking Urban Sanitation Finance: Gaps, Models, and Scalable Inclusive Solutions", further reinforcing that financing governance reform is central to achieving inclusive urban sanitation.
DA-17 Project Launched for Nepal and Lao PDR
On the sidelines of the conference, UN-Habitat officially launched the Development Account (DA) Tranche 17 Project in Nepal, funded under the 17th Tranche of the United Nations Development Account (2026–2028), with Mechinagar Municipality in Jhapa selected as the project city in Nepal. The project will also be implemented in Lao People's Democratic Republic. The initiative aims to enhance the capacities of urban sanitation service providers and national and local governments to plan, finance, and manage equitable, inclusive, and climate-resilient sanitation systems, with a particular focus on low-income and vulnerable urban communities.
The project comprises two core components: strengthening the operational capacity of urban sanitation service providers — particularly in wastewater management, faecal sludge management, and infrastructure maintenance — and reinforcing national and local government capacity to integrate climate-responsive sanitation into urban development frameworks. Mechinagar was selected as the implementation site due to its existing faecal sludge treatment infrastructure, rapid urbanization as a border municipality, and high potential for service expansion to low-income communities.
Access to Housing in Nepal: From Dialogue to Collective Action
On April 03, 2026, the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), in collaboration with UN-Habitat Nepal, hosted a roundtable discussion on "Access to Housing in Nepal: From Dialogue to Collective Action" to tackle the increasing housing challenges in Nepal. The discussion, focused on inclusive and affordable social housing brought together government officials, urban planners, housing experts, academia, and social organizations. This event served as a prelude to the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF 13), scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 17 to May 22, 2026, under the theme "Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities".
In his welcome remarks, Dilip Bhandari, Joint Secretary of MoUD, stressed that housing should be understood beyond its physical aspects. He highlighted its strong ties to livelihoods, culture, and social and economic conditions. He called for updated regulations, and better coordination among concerned institutions.
Keynote speaker Kishore Thapa, a former Secretary of the Government of Nepal and an urban planning, placed Nepal's housing crisis in a global framework where nearly three billion people live in substandard housing. Thapa noted Nepal demographic shift from a largely rural society to rapid urbanization. He mentioned the growing demand in cities, which contrasts sharply with population decline and vacant houses in rural areas. Citing data from the 2021 National Census, he indicated around 6.66 million households, with about 500,000 vacant homes. This highlights that Nepal's issues are about access, distribution, and quality, not just about lack of housing. He called for various solutions, including security of land tenure, affordable rental housing, cooperative housing models, climate resilience, and targeted social housing programs for vulnerable and disaster-affected communities.
The event included three roundtable sessions, each focusing on a key aspect of the housing challenge. The first session, "Delivering Social Housing at Scale" was moderated by UN-Habitat Programme Coordinator Milan Bagale. It began with special remarks from Ms. Lajana Manandhar, Executive Director of Lumanti Support Group for Shelter. She pointed out the gap between policy promises and actual implementation. She urged for a dedicated national social housing policy, an institutional mechanism to oversee implementation, and sustainable funding systems at both national and local levels. She also emphasized the need for community-led housing initiatives and solid data systems. Rup Narayan Dhakal, an officer representingthe National Association of Rural Municipalities in Nepal (NARMIN), spoke about the need for a reliable database as a foundation for delivering social housing at scale in Nepal. Ashwin Bhattarai, an engineer from Rastriya Awas Company, highlighted the role of public institutions in land and housing development, stressing that housing should connect to services and infrastructure to create complete communities. From the local government viewpoint, Santosh Adhikari, an engineer from Chandragiri Municipality, discussed practical challenges such as limited budgets, technical skills, and infrastructure issues. He emphasized the need for stronger support for municipalities. Lachhindra Maharjan, Programme Director at Habitat for Humanity, showcased cost-effective housing solutions using local materials like treated bamboo, demonstrating how affordable housing can be provided for low-income families. He stressed the importance of working together with government and partners to scale these solutions.
The second session, "Financing and Sustaining Social Housing Systems" moderated by Parikshit Kadariya, Senior Divisional Engineer at MoUD, addressed one of the sector's persistent challenges: funding. During his special remarks, Dr. Om Rajbhandary, Executive Chairman of Brihat Group discussed "blended finance", a model that combines public funds, private investment, cooperative savings, and socially responsible investments as a practical approach to share risk and achieve scale. As a speaker, Balbhadra Khanal underscored the growing importance of rental housing, especially in urban areas. He called for stronger legal frameworks, improved regulations, and balanced protections for both tenants and landlords. Dr. Pradeep Panthi, a research fellow at the Policy Research Institute, pointed out that housing policy should reflect demographic trends, migration patterns, and urban dynamics. He also highlighted the necessity of aligning housing with infrastructure development and spatial planning. Nhasala Tuladhar, Secretary of the Regional and Urban Planners’ Society of Nepal (RUPSON), identified land access as a major limitation and emphasized using planning tools like inclusive zoning, land leasing, and cooperative housing models to improve access. Shiva Prasad Bhusal, Assistant Director at Nepal Rastra Bank, explained how the financial sector can support housing through concessional lending and priority sector financing. He also mentioned challenges related to loan repayment and risk management.
Dr. Ajay Chandra Lal, Programme Coordinator of the Urban Planning Programme at the Institute of Engineering, asserted that housing should address people's livelihoods and social realities. He advocated that social housing should promote long-term self-sufficiency, not just immediate shelter.
In his remarks, Mahesh Chandra Neupane, Joint Secretary at MoUD, stressed the need for clear models, better data, and workable implementation mechanisms if social housing is to move forward effectively.
Participants identified shared priorities, including better access to land and security of tenure, innovative financing options, a stronger role for local governments, the promotion of rental housing, and the integration of climate resilience and community-led approaches.
Assessing Earthquake Recovery Progress in Jajarkot and Rukum West
A Joint Monitoring Visit was conducted from 8–11 April 2026 across Jajarkot and Rukum West districts to assess first-hand progress under the "Livelihoods Improvement and Disaster Resilience Enhancement in the Areas Affected by the Jajarkot Earthquake" project, implemented with financial support from the Government of Japan. The mission brought together the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), UNDP Nepal, UN-Habitat Nepal, and local implementing partners Cha Ya Nepal and Community Initiative Nepal (CIN). The team held field inspections and direct consultations with earthquake-affected communities across five municipalities — Barekot, Bheri, and Nalgad in Jajarkot, and Athbiskot and Sani Bheri in Rukum West — where communities called for further acceleration of long-term reconstruction efforts.
In both districts, progress-sharing meetings were organised, where the field team presented updates on community infrastructure restoration, irrigation canals, emergency operation centres, prefabricated buildings, common facility centres, and market centres. Community members actively engaged with the visiting team, sharing experiences of improved access to services, restored livelihoods, and enhanced wellbeing, while also highlighting remaining challenges. During the Jajarkot review meeting, Bir Bahadur Giri, Chairperson of Barekot Municipality, noted that the project has meaningfully reached even the most remote communities. Khadak Bahadur Pariyar, Chief Administrative Officer of Nalgad Municipality, highlighted improvements in coordination with affected communities, service access, and disaster awareness. Dal Bahadur Gharti, Chief Administrative Officer of Bheri Municipality, noted that the initiative has contributed to local governance and provided clearer roadmaps for disaster preparedness and response.
At the Rukum West review meeting in Musikot, Chief District Officer Dinesh Prasad Thani acknowledged the project's significant contribution to emergency preparedness. The establishment of Local Emergency Operations Centres (LEOCs) in implementing municipalities, along with material support, has considerably strengthened disaster response capacity across the district.
As an implementing partner, UN-Habitat Nepal has brought construction of 10 prefabricated public service buildings and 10 Common Facility Centres and Market Centres (Haatbazaars) to near completion, while simultaneously restoring 25 community infrastructure sites including irrigation canals and water supply systems across both districts. The Joint Monitoring Visit concluded with all stakeholders reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthen coordination, embed recovery within government systems, and ensure that interventions are sustainable, inclusive, and built to last.
A Canal Restored, A Community Revived
Among the most tangible symbols of recovery is the restoration of an irrigation canal in Ranikheti, Ward 5 of Nalgad Municipality, Jajarkot. The canal, which draws water from the Gaade River, serves as the lifeline of the Ranikheti community — supporting irrigation for approximately 200 ropani of farmland across 171 households, as well as a traditional water mill and an 11 kW micro-hydropower system. The 2081 BS (2024 AD) floods that followed the earthquake destroyed the canal entirely, cutting off not only irrigation but also grain milling and electricity supply for local residents. The impact on the community's food cycle was immediate and severe.
Lalbir Chanara, who operates the local water mill, described the restoration simply but powerfully. "The irrigation canal has given us a new life. The life cycle of this entire area has returned to what it once was," he said. Today, the fields of Ranikheti are green again. Lalbir's water mill is turning once more. The 11 kW hydropower system is back in operation — bringing relief to farmers in both their agricultural work and their daily livelihoods.
Landless Farmers Trained in Apiculture in Gadhawa
Gadhawa, Dang — Forty-six landless farmers from three self help groups in Gadhawa have successfully completed a five-day intensive training on commercial beekeeping. Farmers from three Self-Help Groups in Gadhawa, recently completed a five-day intensive training program organized by UN-Habitat Nepal’s L4ACT project — “A Safety Net of Innovative Land Tenure Solutions for Near-Landless Sharecroppers and for a Greener Rural Nepal.” The initiative was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Korea and implemented in coordination with the Government of Nepal, targets vulnerable households across four municipalities in Dang’s Deukhuri Valley. Conducted from March 16 to 20, 2026, the program equipped participants with practical skills in apiculture. The training covered the full apiculture value chain — from the biological fundamentals of bee behavior, species identification, and life cycles, to modern hive management, pest control, and strategies for sustaining colonies during nectar-scarce months through the preparation of artificial "candy" and pollen feeds. The training also included an exposure visit to a honey processing center in Ghorahi and multipurpose farms in Tulsipur, giving participants direct experience of the broader value chain. The training covered the full apiculture value chain — from the biological fundamentals of bee behavior, species identification, and life cycles, to modern hive management, pest control, and strategies for sustaining colonies during nectar-scarce months through the preparation of artificial "candy" and pollen feeds. The program also included an exposure visit to a honey processing centre in Ghorahi and multipurpose farms in Tulsipur, giving participants direct experience of the broader value chain.
For many attendees, the training addressed not only technical barriers but also deep-seated fears. Tara Pun, a participant from Gadhawa, described her initial fear. “Earlier, I was afraid the bees might sting me,” she said. “During the training, I got the opportunity to handle them with my own hands. Now, I feel confident.” Pabitra Saha of the Dandagaun Land Right Farmer Group highlighted the program’s impact on her outlook. “I realized that even with a small piece of land, we can do something productive,” she said. “By practicing beekeeping, it is possible to sustain our livelihood. Now, I have hope for the future.” Another participant, Pabitra Saha of the Dandagaun Land Right Farmer Group, reflected on what the training meant for her future. "I realized that even with a small piece of land, we can do something productive. By practicing beekeeping, it is possible to sustain our livelihood. Now, I have hope for the future." The initiative has drawn strong support from local government.
Yam Narayan Sharma Pokhrel, Chairperson of Gadhawa Rural Municipality, described the training as a unique and important initiative and expressed optimism that honey production potential in the area would now be translated into practice. He also pledged to link newly trained beekeepers with established commercial farms and to provide continuous technical support.
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PUBLICATIONS
Urban Planning for City Leaders Now available in Nepali Language
The Nepali translation of the recognized publication Urban Planning for City Leaders, published by the UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) Headquarter, is now available for your reading and wider sharing. This publication provides guidance to elected representatives and officials at the local level, as well as urban development professionals, students, researchers, and other stakeholders, to support the preparation and execution of effective urban plans. At the same time, it fosters dialogue between policymakers, leaders, and citizens. By linking international practices and experiences with the local context, the book offers practical guidance for making cities inclusive, sustainable, and resilient.
Under the "Urban Ecosystem-Based Adaptation for Climate-Resilient Development in the Kathmandu Valley" (EbA) project, the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority (KVDA) has published two orientation handbooks for communities and local leadership in collaboration with UN-Habitat Nepal. The community handbook aims to support local residents, women's groups, youth clubs, schools, and community forest user groups in understanding the impacts of climate change — including water scarcity, urban flooding, rising temperatures, landslides, and livelihood challenges — while encouraging them to adopt environment-friendly measures, green infrastructure, and sustainable practices. The second handbook, prepared for locally elected representatives and active political parties, is designed to help integrate EbA concepts into municipal policy formulation, periodic planning, annual budgets, and implementation processes.
United Nations Human Settlements Programme Sanepa, Lalitpur P.O. Box 107, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-1-5451091,+977-1-5438477 unhabitat.nepal@unhabitat.org.np www.unhabitat.org.np