UNDP, Ministry of Home Affairs Host Workshop on Mainstreaming Human Security

Photo: UNDP in Nepal

Kathmandu: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nepal, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) and with support from the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security, organized the National Advocacy Workshop.

The workshop was organized on the theme “Mainstreaming Human Security in Development Planning and Programming for Building Resilience Against Poly-risks in Asia and the Pacific.”

The workshop highlighted Human Security as a people-centered, preventive, and empowering approach to address emerging poly-risks such as climate change, natural disasters, pandemics, and socio-economic shocks. The initiative aims to ensure resilience and inclusivity in Nepal’s development processes, reinforcing the principle that no one should be left behind.

Speaking at the event, Bishnu Raj Neupane, Under Secretary at MoHA, noted that Human Security remains a relatively new concept in Nepal, though it was globally introduced in the 1994 UNDP Human Development Report.

Moreover, he emphasized its multidimensional and preventive nature, underscoring its importance in today’s evolving risk environment.

Kyoko Yokosuka, UNDP Nepal Resident Representative, remarked that Human Security continues to hold significant relevance in the face of complex global challenges. “In times of growing multidimensional risks, people are often the most affected,” she said.

Furthermore, she stressed the need to shift from reactive to proactive approaches, advocating for risk-informed planning to ensure no one is left behind and putting people at the center of development fosters trust and strengthens social cohesion across all levels of society.

The workshop also brought together stakeholders from government, development partners, and civil society to review the draft methodological framework on Human Security. Discussions focused on embedding the approach into Nepal’s planning and policy frameworks, aiming to institutionalize Human Security as a foundation for resilience, inclusive governance, and sustainable development.

The event marked a significant step toward advancing Nepal’s efforts in integrating Human Security into its national agenda, helping to build a more risk-informed and resilient society.