KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, held a courtesy meeting with a delegation led by Kyoko Yokosuka, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to Nepal.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Urban Development in Singha Durbar, discussed possible UNDP support for Nepal’s upcoming elections, ongoing projects related to energy and climate change, and the implementation status of various assistance programs.

Minister Ghising informed the delegation that the government is preparing to allow Nepali citizens working abroad to participate in voting.

He requested UNDP’s cooperation in introducing online voting technology in Nepal, similar to systems used in other countries.

He also sought UNDP’s assistance in several priority areas — including mitigating the impacts of climate change, creating employment through small and medium-scale industries in rural areas, conducting research on glacial lake outburst risks, strengthening disaster preparedness and early warning systems, and replacing fossil fuel–based vehicles and traditional household energy with electric alternatives.

Minister Ghising further emphasized promoting the use of electricity in high-consumption industries and brick kilns to reduce carbon emissions by substituting coal with electric energy.

According to UNDP representatives, the organization expressed readiness to assist Nepal in strengthening electoral processes, mobilizing financial support from climate funds, and advancing collaborative initiatives in sustainable development and clean energy.