Embodying an urgent call for action, the Sustainable Development Goals, a set of 17 goals was adopted by all the United Nations member states in 2015 under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.[i] These goals aimed to combat political, economic, and environmental challenges that plagued the world. However, progress on these goals has been stalled in the face of several challenges. This research paper attempts to build on existing research on the premise of how Digital Public Infrastructure can catalyze progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. Here, I have taken the case of Nepal, a landlocked South Asian nation that has exhibited a steadfast and enduring commitment to the SDGs, being the first country in the world to publish its SDG Country Report.[ii] To help expedite the realization of the SDGs, the utilization of Digital Public Infrastructure is gaining traction, which was emphasized in the 2023 G20 ‘Digital Economy Working Group’.[iii] During this event, the leaders identified DPI as a crucial instrument and enabler for inclusive and sustainable development. The paper chiefly examines the current state of Digital Public Infrastructure in Nepal, looking into the challenges and opportunities. It further examines how digital public infrastructure can solve contemporary development challenges in Nepal. It concludes by providing recommendations that may prove to be beneficial in Nepal’s development trajectory.
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[i] Sustainable Development Goals. (2024, June 26)https://www.who.int/europe/about-us/our-work/sustainable-developmentgoals#:~:text=The%20Sustainable%20Development%20Goals%20(SDGs,enjoy%20health%2C%20justice%20and%20prosperity
[ii] NPC SDG | About Us. (n.d.).
[iii] Digital Economy Working Group Meeting. (n.d.). https://g20.negd.in/