Kathmandu: Dr. Som P. Pudasaini, a veteran development professional and former United Nations official, has released a new book titled Conflict Resolution, Diplomacy, and Sustainable Development (Selected Writings of a Global Nepali Professional), bringing together more than five decades of reflections on Nepal’s development journey.
The book is organized around three interlinked themes. One set of articles examines contemporary politics in Nepal and the wider region, focusing on issues of governance, conflict resolution, diplomacy, and regional connectivity. Another set explores population dynamics and reproductive health, highlighting how national policies in Nepal have evolved over time. A third group of writings looks back at agricultural productivity, revisiting debates on mechanization and education during the 1970s and 1980s.
Despite their diverse subject matter, the articles are united by the overarching considered of sustainable development. The pursuit of sustainability, the author notes, has shaped Nepal’s socio-economic trajectory over the past half century and has also guided his own professional life. Spanning the period from 1971 to 2024, the collection serves as a record for future generations seeking to understand Nepal’s path toward sustainable development.
Dr. Pudasaini has held several senior positions within the United Nations system. He served as United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative to Yemen and Sri Lanka, and as Country Director in the Maldives between 1996 and 2003. Earlier, he was Senior Advisor and National Coordinator at UNFPA Nepal from 1992 to 1995, and Director General of the Family Planning Association of Nepal from 1988 to 1991.
