By AIT Public Affairs
14 September 2024: Officials from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) actively participated in the Nepal Infrastructure Summit (NIS) 2024, held on September 12-13 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Organized by the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and supported by the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and the Investment Board of Nepal, the two-day summit brought together global policymakers and industry leaders to discuss strategies for sustainable infrastructure development under the theme “Driving Sustainable Development through Strategic Investment.”
Nepal’s Prime Minister, Honorable Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli, inaugurated the summit and delivered a keynote addressing the importance of resilient, inclusive, and green infrastructure for the country’s future growth. The fifth edition of NIS served as a collaborative platform, allowing stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to engage in meaningful discussions about Nepal’s developmental aspirations.
AIT’s panelists and moderators, including Dr. Bindu Lohani, a member of the AIT Board of Trustees; Prof. Shobhakar Dhakal from the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (EECC); Dr. Faiz Shah, Executive Director of the Yunus Center at AIT; Prof. Paula Banerjee, IDRC Endowed Research Chair on Gender and Forced Displacement; and Mr. Sanjeet Amatya, Director of AIT Public Affairs of the Office of International and Public Affairs, actively contributed to the summit’s sessions.
In the Inaugural and Opening Plenary, Dr. Lohani outlined key trends, challenges, and opportunities in infrastructure development across the Asia-Pacific region. Drawing on his extensive experience with the Asian Development Bank, he emphasized the need for increased infrastructure investment in countries like Nepal. Dr. Lohani also highlighted the importance of digital infrastructure, sustainable solutions, and innovative financing models such as public-private partnerships (PPPs), while stressing the need for smart, green, and livable cities that integrate technology and sustainability into long-term planning.
Prof. Shobhakar Dhakal moderated the session “Sustainable Development,” focusing on integrating energy and climate policies with urbanization for Nepal’s sustainable growth. He emphasized the need for climate-resilient, environmentally friendly infrastructure, especially considering Nepal’s vulnerability to floods and landslides. Nature-based solutions were highlighted as crucial for harmonizing economic development with the environment. The session also discussed the financing gap in infrastructure, calling for private sector involvement to achieve sustainability goals. Drawing from global examples, Prof. Dhakal stressed that policy and business practices must work together. He also urged Nepal to consider adopting carbon pricing to reduce emissions and stay competitive in the global market.
Dr. Faiz Shah moderated the session “Creating Opportunities for Women in the Infrastructure Space,” which discussed the barriers women face in advancing infrastructure careers, particularly the lack of support for family-related career breaks. He emphasized the need for reforms to provide better support, training, and financial opportunities for women in the infrastructure sector, aiming to remove barriers and encourage greater female participation in infrastructure development. Prof. Paula Banerjee, a panelist in the same session, shared insights on how infrastructure development often overlooks women. She highlighted issues such as workplace harassment and pay disparities and stressed the importance of ensuring women are part of the decision-making process in infrastructure projects. Prof. Banerjee emphasized the need for changes that address gender inequality, including the gender pay gap and workplace safety concerns.
In the session titled “Digital, ICT, and Technology Integration,” Mr. Sanjeet Amatya opened his remarks by highlighting the transformative role of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain in modern infrastructure projects. He emphasized that these technologies are no longer just supplementary but are integral to the core of infrastructure development. Mr. Amatya discussed how interdisciplinary research and collaboration among governments, academic institutions, and industry partners are crucial for developing and adapting solutions to meet emerging needs. He provided examples of how AI is being used to optimize engineering management, predict maintenance needs, and enhance infrastructure reliability through real-time monitoring and data analysis.He concluded by stressing the importance of contextually relevant technological solutions and the need for ongoing collaboration to address unique challenges. Mr. Amatya noted that while there is significant potential for these technologies to drive progress, their successful implementation requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders involved. He called for continued innovation and integration of advanced technologies to improve infrastructure development and management, ensuring that these solutions are both effective and adaptable to the evolving demands of the sector.
Several prominent AIT alumni also participated in the event. Mr. Khadga Bahadur Bisht, Executive Director of Millennium Challenge Account Nepal, shared his insights on the critical role of infrastructure projects in fostering regional connectivity and economic growth. Er. Kamal Pande, a Transport Infrastructure Specialist, presented strategies for developing efficient and sustainable transportation networks, while Dr. Surya Raj Acharya, an Infrastructure Expert, explored challenges and opportunities within Nepal’s construction sector. Mr. Birendra Raj Pandey, Vice-President of CNI and Managing Director of Nepal Adarsha Nirman Company, led the closing plenary, summarizing the key takeaways and reflecting on future directions for infrastructure development in Nepal.
The Summit provided a vital forum for discussing the challenges and opportunities in Nepal’s infrastructure landscape. Through sessions on sustainability, gender inclusivity, and digital transformation, AIT officials played a crucial role in shaping the future of infrastructure development in Nepal, ensuring that sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation remain at the forefront of these efforts.
All pictures credit: Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI)
