6th March 2024, Kathmandu
The 2-day ‘Digital Karnali Conclave 2024’ was completed by issuing a 14-point commitment
The Digital Karnali Conclave 2024 which was organized on the 18th and 19th of Falgun at Birendra Nagar in Surkhet has been completed. The Digital Karnali Conclave 2024, which was conducted for 2 days, has been completed by issuing a 14-point commitment letter. The conclave focused on the theme of ‘Harmonizing Digitization and Development for Digital Karnali’ and was attended by more than 700 people.
In the 2-day program held jointly by the Government of Karnali Province and ICT Foundation Nepal, there was a wide discussion on the digital development and ecosystem of the province of Karnali. More than 50 experts and stakeholders from Kathmandu participated as speakers in the conference. In the Karnali Conclave inaugurated by Chief Minister; Raj Kumar Sharma, Home Affairs and Law Ministers and Secretaries from other 4 provinces were also present. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, while sending a message of greetings at the event, said that the Government of Nepal is committed to the digital development of Karnali.
In the conference, more than 700 people were present, including all ministers of the province, provincial parliament, committee chairpersons, party leaders, chief district officials, mayors and presidents of municipalities, IT officers, and stakeholders. Four keynotes, 7 lightning presentations, and 6-panel sessions were conducted in the conclave.
Addressing the program, the Chief Guest of the Conclave and Chief Minister of Karnali Province, Rajkumar Sharma said that the 2-day Digital Karnali Conclave has created a foundation for development and investment in Karnali.
‘Digital Karnali Conclave has also given important suggestions for the second five-year plan of Karnali Province,’ said Chief Minister Sharma, “Now we cannot move forward by running away from technology. We should make a prosperous Karnali by making good use of technology.
Digital Karnali
In the conclave, a power session was held between the former 2 Chief Ministers Jeevan Bahadur Shahi and Mahendra Shahi on the thought leadership of Digital Karnali. ICT expert Manohar Kumar Bhattarai, Planning Commission Vice Chairman Yogendra Shahi, Investment Board Chairman Sushil Bhatt, Rastra Bank spokesperson Dr.Gunakar Bhatta, CEO of E-Governance Commission Dipesh Bist were the presenters and keynote speakers for the event. In-depth panel sessions on 6 different topics were conducted.
In the conclave, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Law of Karnali Province Government, Krishna Bahadur G.C., has issued 14 points commitments for the digital province. A commitment has been made to help promote startups and innovation by developing a foundation for digital transformation.
On the last day of the conclave, issuing a 14-point commitment letter, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Law of Karnali Province Krishna Bahadur GC informed that the public commitments for the construction of Digital Karnali will be effectively implemented.
The commitment is to prepare and implement the master plan of Digital Karnali, to provide digital data of the province through a single website, to coordinate with related agencies to expand access to electricity and internet, to initiate the establishment of an IT college, to develop digital infrastructure in at least one community or government school in each district for technology-friendly teaching and learning emphasis is included.
Apart from this, the government of Karnali province has promised to encourage the establishment and operation of IT companies in the province, to bring a special program to support startups and innovation every year, to provide scholarships to study IT, and to include the suggestions received from the conclave in the second five-year plan and annual development program.
Likewise, ICT Foundation Nepal President; Razan Lamsal thanked everyone who helped to make the program grand and said that the intensive and extensive discussions held at the Digital Karnali Conclave for 2 days will help to take the campaign of Digital Karnali to new heights. President Lamsal said that this program has helped in making ICT policy and digital roadmap along with digital literacy.
Former Minister Ganesh Shah, Karnali Province Economic Affairs Minister Bedraj Singh, Bagmati Province Minister Ganga Narayan Shrestha, SudurPaschim Province Minister Shibraj Bhatt also expressed their views regarding Karnali Province, digitization, and development.
On the first day of the program, Yogendra Shahi, vice president of Karnali Province Planning Commission, and ICT expert Manohar Kumar Bhattarai gave a keynote presentation on the digital transformation of Karnali and the ecosystem.
On the first day itself, there was a panel discussion and lightning presentation on the thought leadership of Digital Karnali, the Foundation of Digital Karnali, data, disaster and digital development.
On the second day, there was a panel discussion and a lightning presentation on the topics of digital economy and investment for Karnali, the building of digital leadership, and compatibility of digitization and development for digital Karnali. Likewise, there was a presentation and dialogue on digital leadership for Digital Karnali.
Ideas and initiatives related to digital Karnali were also presented in the conclave. In this, Kata ho, Digital Transformation Package for Adolescent, SMS based Monitoring System Mid-Day Meal, Smart Education, Geo Agriculture – Agritech, Use of Satellite Connectivity in remote areas of Karnali, Digital Insurance and Two Way Model CCTM ideas and initiatives were presented.
Likewise, 3 organizations signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law of Karnali Province in the conclave to support the digital development of Karnali. ‘Kataho’ signed a memorandum of understanding regarding making a school website free of charge, Dynamic Technosoft regarding providing free dynamic ERP to 3 government schools and digital number plate address preparation for all local levels of Karnali by Kataho.
Digital Karnali Conclave 2024 was also supported by UNDP, World Food Program, UNICEF, The Asia Foundation and other development partners.
The program had the support and cooperation of Nepal Telecommunication Authority, Nepal Telecom, CAN Federation Karnali Pradesh, Himalayan Everest Insurance, GeoKrishi, IME Pay, Pacific Satellite, and others.
Digital Nepal Conclave 2024 as an initial event targeting Karnali in collaboration with the state government. The conclave was organized by the ICT Foundation.