KATHMANDU, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Nepal office released The Least Developed Countries Report 2017: Transformational Energy Access in Kathmandu on Thursday.
The global report has been published by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The Nepali report was jointly unveiled by National Information Officer at United Nations Information Center Ram B. Shah and Executive Director at Alternative Energy Promotion Center Dr Ram Prasad Dhital amid media representatives.
According to the report, the world's 47 least developed countries (LDCs) are falling far behind the rest of the developing world in terms of getting power to homes and businesses.
It states that to achieve the global goal of universal access to energy by 2030, it requires a 350 percent increase in the annual rate of electrification.
"Though 62 percent of the population in LDCs does not have access to electricity, the situation is quiet better in Nepal. 85 percent of population has access to electricity in the Himalayan country," Dr Ram Prasad Dhital, Executive Director at Alternative Energy Promotion Center said.
The report states that on average, firms in the LDCs suffer 10 power outages per month, each lasting around five hours. It is noted that last year, Nepal had suffered power outage up to 18 hours per day.
The report indicates that electricity generation capacity per person in LCDs is only one-twelfth of that in other developing countries and one-fiftieth of that in developed countries. The global report has further underscored the need of international donors to meet aid commitments.
Asian countries on the list of LDCs for 2017 include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Nepal.
