KATHMANDU, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Nepali business community on Wednesday expressed its firm commitment to contribute to the country in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
During a day-long seminar on "Role of the private sector in sustainable development in Nepal" held in Kathmandu on Tuesday, representatives of Nepal's top business associations and organizations made such commitment and also announced the formation of "Nepal Business Coalition for SDGs".
The coalition calls on all businesses to align with the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by the UN member states including Nepal in September 2015.
The conference was organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in coordination with other organizations.
According to a press release issued by UNDP on Wednesday, six major Nepali business organizations signed the Memorandum of Understanding with UNDP Nepal to collaborate on the SDGs.
Confederation of Nepalese Industries, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Women Entrepreneurs' Associations of Nepal, Hotel Association Nepal, National Business Initiative and Nepal Bankers' Association signed the understanding.
According to UNDP, the coalition will collaborate to undertake joint initiatives to foster the achievement of the goals, mobilize other relevant stakeholders and advocate for their contribution to achieving the goals, and jointly work on policy reforms to improve Nepal's business environment.
A recent study estimated that the achievement of the SDGs would bring more than 12 trillion U.S. dollars of business opportunities to the private sector.
