KATHMANDU: The NGO Federation of Nepal has elected a new leadership centered on social and economic justice during the National Civil Society Conference-2025, which concluded on Wednesday.
The two-day event, held in Kathmandu, also marked the 11th General Convention and 30th AGM of the Federation.
Arjun Kumar Bhattarai has been elected as the President of the 51-member executive committee. Other prominent office bearers include Nani Maya Thapa as Senior Vice President, Rajendra Sharma and Sanjay Lamsal as Vice Chairs, and Devi Khadka as General Secretary.
Newly elected President Bhattarai stated that his leadership would focus on advocating for civic rights, addressing challenges related to economic sustainability of civil society organizations (CSOs), and promoting production, productivity, and entrepreneurship. He acknowledged the difficulties posed by USAID funding cuts and emphasized the need to explore internal funding sources.
The new leadership has prioritized human rights, constitutional protection, and support for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while also addressing legal hurdles in CSO registration.
Senior Vice President Nani Maya Thapa stressed the importance of inclusive and participatory roles within CSOs, highlighting the need to move beyond the mandatory 33 per cent women’s representation. As a woman leader with over three decades of experience, she expressed her commitment to breaking gender biases and making CSOs model institutions of inclusion and social justice.
The conference saw the participation of around 900 civil society representatives from across the country, with the newly elected leadership committing to taking the Federation to new heights by promoting social and economic justice.
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