Kathmandu: The National Planning Commission (NPC) has estimated that Nepal will require an investment of Rs 21.165 trillion to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Unveiling the report titled "Sustainable Development Goals: Needs Identification, Cost Estimation and Fiscal Strategy, 2081 BS" on Saturday, the NPC said that an average of Rs 3.023 trillion will be needed annually from 2024 to 2030 to meet the global development goals.

The report identifies Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure as the most resource-intensive, requiring 24% of the total projected investment. Goal 7 – Clean Energy will need 12%, while Goal 1 – Poverty Alleviation is projected to consume 11% of the funds.

The required investment represents 45.4% of Nepal’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the 2024–2030 period.

To meet this demand, the NPC has proposed a diversified financing strategy:

-57.5% from the public sector (70% federal, 9% provincial, and 21% local governments),

-34.35% from the private sector,

-4.18% from non-governmental organizations, and

-3.95% from household-level contributions.

Launching the report, NPC Vice Chair Prof. Dr. Shiva Raj Adhikari said, “We have redefined the roles of all three levels of government, the private sector, and cooperatives, and explored newer financing options including blended and climate finance.”

The report also underscores the need for:

-Economic, policy, and legal reforms,

-Strategic sector prioritization,

-Effective foreign aid mobilization,

-Improved cost-effectiveness in public spending, and

-Access to modern technologies.

It reflects on the impact of challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, demographic changes, urbanization, rising inequality, climate issues, and internal conflict in shaping the updated SDG strategy within the federal context.

Additionally, the NPC also released a book titled "Method of Employing Key Economic Indicators," aimed at enhancing the proper use of frequently utilized economic indicators in planning and decision-making.