KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel has stated that humans and nature must be placed at the center of development and construction.

Speaking at a program organized on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the Nepal Engineers’ Association, he emphasized that the concept of development should be linked to the welfare of the people and the prosperity of the country.

He said, “In the process of development and construction, diversity—including history, geography, culture, and ethnic composition—must not be forgotten. It is essential to rapidly advance production, employment, and economic activities in a way that addresses the demands of the current era and the aspirations of the new generation.”

President Paudel noted that our country, which is geographically complex but rich in natural resources, is in dire need of sustainable and eco-friendly infrastructure today, adding that climate change stands as a major challenge before the nation.

He said, “Under such circumstances, our roads, bridges, and hydropower projects must be resilient to natural disasters. Our development must be based on the principles of green development.”

He stated that we must not forget that the federal democratic republic addresses numerous dimensions of our development and human welfare.

He added that the objectives envisioned by the democratic republic will only be fulfilled if the beauty of democracy is not just kept as an ideal but adopted in behavior and conduct.

President Paudel clarified that the future of any country depends on the thoughts, energy, and capability of its youth, and the dream of economic prosperity and a prosperous Nepal can only be realized when the innovative thoughts of young minds are coupled with the technical skills of engineers.

He said, “Time has entrusted that responsibility to you today. The trend of our skilled young engineers going abroad in search of employment and opportunities is on the rise. This is a matter of concern for the country. I urge both the government and the private sector to create ample opportunities, fair evaluation, and a friendly environment for young engineers and architects within the country.”