Nepal, Saturday 4th July 2020
National Cooperative Federation of Nepal (NCF) together with Government of Nepal, Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation today, on the premises of National Cooperative Federation of Nepal (NCF), celebrated 98th International Day of Cooperatives (IDC), 26th United Nations International Day of Cooperatives, and 27th National Cooperative Federation Day on July 04, 2020 on the theme theme # Coops 4 Climate Action # unveiled by International Cooperative Alliance. Despite the risk of of COVID-19 Pandemic, limited number of government officials, cooperators and stakeholder representatives participated in the program with maintaining social distancing. This year cooperators around the world are shouting out the message that cooperative enterprises can promote local prevention and adaptation practices that reduced the impacts of natural hazards and climate change.
The program was observed by Minister of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation (MoLCPA) Ms. Padma Kumari Aryal as a chief guest and key note speaker. Ms. Aryal expressed her views on the significance of cooperatives especially in the climate action and said that even during the period COVID-19 Pandemic, cooperatives contributed by facilitating to reach farmers products in the market as well as provided financial services in a door step. Cooperatives are networked organizations so they are potentials to create synergy on creating cooperatives values, identity and cooperation for socioeconomic development and resilient climate action.
As a chair of program National Cooperative Federation’s Chairman Mr. Min Raj Kadel gratitude all the participants said that the positive changes of climates could save the people and planet. He further added cooperatives must have to go on production and businesses. Digitalization and commercialization are prominent part of cooperatives, he added.
Immediate Past Chairman Mr. Keshav Prasad Badal said to work on climate action, increasing green nursery to develop green economy. Cooperative values and principles are strong weapons to work on climate action, he added
Ms. Om Devi Mall, Senior Vice Chairperson and ICA Global Board Member elucidates the importance of climate action and rely the message of this year theme unveiled by ICA. She further signifies to intervene by cooperatives for the sustainable changes in the society.
The secretary of Minister of Land Management, cooperatives and poverty alleviation Mr. Kedar Neupane presented paper on the theme “
#Cooperatives for Climate Action”. He comprehends that the Nepal is a disaster prone country, changes in climate could reveals disasters. The paper covers the meaning of climate action, cooperatives responsibility as well as policy and institutional framework to fight against disaster.
Mr. Vijaya Singh, Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP, Nepal expressed his views on the climate action, its impact and roles of cooperatives. He added the important aspect of UN Secretary Message on this special day. He also relates the impact of COVID-19 to the climate action and said that the most affected peoples are from least developed countries ultra-poor people. The cooperatives must be able to hit in the area of human development, global warming, landslide, drought, flood and so on. Let’s work together for better results he conducted.
The formal program started with the relevant videos on climate action prior to the formal program. Cooperators from around the country are presented in the program. The major features of the program include paper presentation on the theme, distributions of awards to successful cooperatives, unions and federations, visual clips of successful cooperatives, handing over cheque to the successful cooperatives for the promotion of coop shops, distribution of office equipment to the needy cooperatives and commitments to work on climate action.
During the program cooperatives are awarded by ‘Excellent Cooperative Award’ and ‘Excellent Cooperative Business Awards’ for their best performance, effectiveness, and contribution for the socioeconomic development throughout the year.
NCF also distributed office equipment to selected 10 district cooperative unions for their capacity enhancement under strengthening cooperative program and handing over grant cheque to Subha Laxmi Cooperatives of Province # 1 for the coop shop promotion.
The program was observed by Co-Chairman of National Cooperative Development Board (NCDB) Mr. Dakshya Poudel, past chairman of NCF Mr. Deepak Prakash Baskota and expressed their important views. The program is believed to be a step to motivate cooperators for climate action.
General Manager of NCF Ms. Chitra Kumari Thamsuhang Subba did the Master of Ceremony (MC) and said the important cross cutting issues and solutions of climate action. Other staffs also celebrated the program along with others.
