The Digital Karnali Conclave 2024 has concluded after two days of events on Falgun 18 and 19 at Birendra Nagar, Surkhet. The flagship ICT event pulled the curtain down with a 14-point commitment letter. The conclave focused on the theme of ‘Harmonizing Digitization and Development for Digital Karnali’ The two-day event drew over 700 participants.
The program was organized by the Government of Karnali Province and ICT Foundation Nepal. Over 50 experts and stakeholders discussed the digital development and ecosystem of the Karnali Province. The Conclave was inaugurated by the Province Chief Minister while; Raj Kumar Sharma, Home Affairs and Law Ministers and Secretaries from other 4 provinces also made their presence. Likewise, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, sent his greetings and emphasized the government’s commitment to the digital transformation of Karnali.
Keynotes, presentations, and panel discussions
The Conference had over 700 people in participation. This included province ministers, provincial parliament, committee chairpersons, and party leaders. Also, there were chief district officials, mayors, presidents of municipalities, IT officers, and stakeholders. In terms of the various segments, the Conclave comprised 4 keynotes, 7 lightning presentations, and 6 pane discussions.
During his address, the Chief Guest of the Conclave and Chief Minister of Karnali Province, Rajkumar Sharma lauded the event. He said that the Conclave has successfully created a foundation for digital 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.
The Conclave also featured a power session between two former 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 Bista served as the presenters and keynote speakers for the event. Likewise, the panel discussions spanned 6 different topics.
Also read: Fusemachines Lists on US Stock Exchange, NASDAQ
Digital Karnali Conclave 2024 concluded with 14 commitment points
Minister of Internal Affairs and Law of Karnali Province Government, Krishna Bahadur G.C., issued 14 points commitments for the digital province. He also promised that the public commitments for the construction of the Digital Karnali would come to fruition. The Conclave essentially, made a commitment to help promote startups and innovation by developing a foundation for digital transformation.
Another commitment is to prepare and implement the master plan of Digital Karnali and to provide digital data of the province through a single website.
Also, the commitment is to coordinate with related agencies to expand access to electricity and the internet, to initiate the establishment of an IT college, and to develop digital infrastructure in at least one community or government school in each district for technology-friendly teaching and learning emphasis.
Game-changing initiatives
Additionally, the Karnali Province government has promised to encourage the establishment and operation of IT companies in the province, bring a special program to support startups and innovation every year, provide scholarships to study IT and include the suggestions received from the conclave in the second five-year plan and annual development program.
ICT Foundation Nepal President; Razan Lamsal thanked everyone who helped to make the program a success. He said that the intensive and extensive discussions held at the Digital Karnali Conclave for 2 days will take the campaign of Digital Karnali to new heights. President Lamsal said that this program has profoundly 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, and Sudur Paschim (Far West) Province Minister Shibraj Bhatt also expressed their views regarding Karnali Province, digitization, and development.
Don’t miss: Nagarik App Launched: Find Features and New Upgrades
Digital Karnali Conclave first and second day
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. Also, there was a panel discussion and lightning presentation on the thought leadership of Digital Karnali, 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 the digital economy and investment for Karnali, the building of digital leadership, and the compatibility of digitization and development for digital Karnali. Likewise, there was a presentation and dialogue on digital leadership for Digital Karnali.
The event also involved discussions on the digital Karnali formation. This comprised Kata ho, a Digital Transformation Package for Adolescents, SMS based Monitoring System for Mid-Day Meals, Smart Education, Geo Agriculture – Agritech, Use of Satellite Connectivity in remote areas of Karnali, Digital Insurance, and The Way Model CCTM ideas and initiatives presented.
New agreements
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. ‘Kata ho’ 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 had its support from UNDP, the 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 is organized in collaboration with the state government. It was organized by the ICT Foundation.
