Kathmandu; A one-day Regional Conference on Powering Sustainable Growth has been concluded on November 23, 2023, in Kathmandu, Nepal with addressing sustainable growth through sustainable Hydropower development. The main objective of the conference was to scale up climate finance for hydropower in the South Asian region.

During the Inaugural session, Shakti Bahadur Basnet Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has emphasized the government’s commitment to tapping the hydropower potential of the country and mentioned that as a minister dealing with energy, he recognizes the vital role that hydropower plays for sustainable development in Nepal.

The welcome speech of the conference was delivered by Alain Kilajian, Deputy Executive Director of Hydropower Sustainability Alliance (HSA). He highlights the key notes about the World Hydropower Congress that was held in Bali, Indonesia from 31 October to 2 November 2023. He further mentioned that the HSA was here to support Nepal in its hydropower development initiatives by adhering to global standards. He expressed his hope that the application of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS) will allow Nepal to harness its water resources in a way that is sustainable and responsible, and ultimately help the country fulfill its climate duty to become the water battery of South Asia.

Meanwhile, Sushil Bhatta, Chief Executive Officer of Investment Board Nepal, said that a lot has been achieved in Nepal with regards to hydropower development and both public entities and the private sector have played a pivotal role in this aspect. He also emphasized that while seeking markets stakeholders should focus equally on both domestic and international markets.

At the end of the inaugural session Arun Rajauria, President of Nepal Hydropower Association (NHA) Delivered his remarks on the theme of climate financing for hydropower today. “It is not just a financial mechanism but a catalyst for transformation. The right climate finance models can unlock the vast potential of hydropower in Nepal, which is more than a national asset;” he said, “This financing is crucial for developing climate-resilient hydropower infrastructure that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change, such as fluctuating water levels and extreme weather events.”