Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has underscored the necessity of addressing population issues from an economic, social, and political strategy perspective. Inaugurating the Sixth Asian Population Conference virtually, he highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to meet the basic needs of marginalized communities by focusing on the relationship between development and population density.
According to National News Agency Nepal, during the event, PM Oli interacted with the mother of a newborn at Kathmandu Medical College Hospital, stressing the importance of bridging the gap between the rich and the poor through inclusive policies. He called for unity in building a world based on human rights, health, hope, and self-respect, and expressed hope that the conference would yield valuable insights for human development and environmental protection.
PM Oli emphasized the importance of sustainable development, good governance, and global partnerships, particularly in addressing climate change. He reiter
ated his commitment to transforming the vision of ‘Prosperous Nepal: Happy Nepali’ into reality, advocating for substantial investments in agriculture and sustainable resource management to ensure no individual suffers from lack of basic necessities.
In his address, PM Oli highlighted the demographic changes shaping societies, noting the global fertility rate of 2.2 and the increasing elderly population, particularly in regions like East Asia, Europe, and Northern America. He celebrated the rise in life expectancy as a policy success and called for innovative strategies to address the challenges and opportunities of demographic transformations.
He also acknowledged the persistent economic, social, and geographic divides that marginalize millions and fuel inequality and conflict. PM Oli advocated for uplifting the most vulnerable populations to foster global prosperity and peace. He further addressed migration as a defining trend, emphasizing the need for coordinated and humane management approaches.
PM Oli
noted the conference’s strategic position in addressing critical global issues, especially concerning declining fertility rates and aging populations in Asia. He highlighted the demographic shifts in Nepal, including a skewed gender ratio at birth and uneven population distribution, which demand immediate and inclusive policy responses.
The conference also marks a milestone as it approaches the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). PM Oli reiterated the enduring relevance of ICPD principles, such as prioritizing human rights and focusing on sustainable population and development policies.
The opening session saw participation from various dignitaries, including President of Nepali Congress and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Vice Chancellor of Tribhuvan University Prof Dr. Keshar Jung Baral, and President of the Asian Population Association Reiko Hayashi. The conference will feature various thematic sessions to discuss these pressing issues.