United Nations is an intergovernmental organization established in 1945 for the promotion of international cooperation that includes maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, enhancing social and economic development, environmental protection and provision of funds and aids in cases of disasters, food crisis and armed conflict. UN Nepal is actively supporting different aspects of Nepal.

UN in Nepal

Presently, there are 193 member states of United Nations. Nepal is also one of the member states. UN operates its functions through various specialized agencies in the member states. These UN agencies working in the member states help to achieve the objectives of UN. Nepal joined UN on December 14, 1955 adhering itself to the principles of the organization as a sovereign country committed and willing to fulfill onus and obligations as a member state.  UN House in Nepal is located in Pulchowk, Lalitpur. Nepal has been working with UN for maintaining peace and security through continuous involvement and participation in UN Nepal peace keeping operations since 1958. UN sub branches also provide UN internship program to Nepalese students.

un nepal

What are UN Nepal objectives?

Specialized agencies of UN Nepal that are working in Nepal to achieve various facts of UN objectives are as follows:

  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): It was the first UN Nepal agency to start its work in Nepal. Since its inception, Nepal has completed more than 200 small and large projects and programmes for the development in the field of agriculture.
  • International Labour Organization (ILO): The major areas that this UN agency is working on in Nepal are poverty alleviation through the promotion of employment, improvement of industrial relationships, elimination of child labour and occupational safety. In general, it has always been working to promote social justice for working people.
  • International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD): Nepal became a member of IFAD in 1978. Its main goal in Nepal is to empower impoverished rural people to achieve higher income and improved food security which would lead to a better quality of life.
  • United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF): It started its operations in Nepal in 1964. It works for the protection and promotion of children rights and advocates in the favour of children and helps them to gain their full potential through different opportunities.
  • UNAIDS: UNAIDS, the Joint Nations Programme on HIV/AIDs is a partnership that supports HIV response in Nepal and is working for the universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
  • United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): By working and imparting education in the fields of education, science and culture, UNESCO helps in maintaining peace, alleviating poverty and fostering sustainable development.
  • United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF): UNCDF contributes to the Local Governance and Community Development Programme (LGCDP). LGCDP is a national program started in Nepal since 2008. It is one of the main priority areas in Nepal. The other priority area of UNCDF in Nepal is microfinance.
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): UNDP has been functional in Nepal since 1963 and since then, it has been working through the grassroots levels to help in the betterment of people’s lives, reduction of the poverty through micro enterprise development programmes for new livelihood opportunities and inclusive development.
  • United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS): It is the UN agency that is responsible for the overall safety and security of all other UN agencies, funds and programmes that are being operated in Nepal.
  • United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA): UNFPA’s operations initiated in Nepal in 1971. It is the UN agency that has been working for the women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives by working for every individual in the population. It aims to make every pregnancy wanted and every birth safe.
  • UN HABITAT: Habitat Country Programme Document (HCPD) 2011-12 is the program framework of this UN agency in Nepal and its overall objective is to promote sustainable urbanization for the promotion of healthy habitat and adequate shelter for every people.
  • United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC): UNODC Regional Office for South Asia is located in New Delhi covering six countries in the region and Nepal is also one of those countries. This UN agency assists in developing strategies to address crime, drug and corruption with a special focus on the vulnerable groups.
  • World Food Program: This agency’s main aim is the prevention of hunger and poverty in Nepal and for this, it gives food aid to promote development and save lives in time of crisis. It also helps to implement effective food security and nutrition strategies.
  • World Health Organization (WHO): This specialized agency of UN has been working for the attainment of highest possible quality of health by all the people around the world. For this, it works through different agendas that help to enhance health condition of the people.
  • UN Information Centre (UNIC): It provides understanding and awareness and also performs various operations in the field of press activities, publications and audio visual products by maintaining public relations and liaisons.
  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): It works for protecting and promoting the rights of the refugees and also ascertains their well being. Its priority areas in Nepal are the refugees from Bhutan, Tibetans, Urban asylum-seekers and refugees and people without access to citizenship certificates.
  • UN Women: Its primary function is to work for the women empowerment in the global level. UN Women Nepal Country Office was established in April 2012 and focuses in the key areas that include violence against women, peace and security, leadership and participation, economic empowerment and national planning and budget.