Minister Neupane at RU Fest: “Pokhara Should Be a Model for Green Job Creation”

Pokhara :

Federal Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Bhagwati Neupane, observed the Recycling and Upcycling (RU) Fest held in Pokhara on Saturday. This was her first visit to Pokhara since being appointed minister. She visited the Pokhara Event Center, where the fest was being held. She was welcomed by Mayor Dhanraj Acharya of Pokhara Metropolitan City, along with representatives from KOICA and UNDP.

During the event, she observed items made from reused and recycled materials such as plastic, glass, and fabric. Praising the initiative, she said the management of waste along with green job creation is commendable. “This festival shows that recycling and upcycling not only help manage waste but also create employment opportunities,” she said. “This project could serve as an example for other cities in Nepal.” She also encouraged and motivated the RU entrepreneurs who had set up stalls at the fest.

The RU Fest was launched on Friday under the Green Job Creation through Recycling and Upcycling (GCRU) project, which is operated by Pokhara Metropolitan City with the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

On Saturday, the second and final day of the fest, a dialogue was held to encourage producers to take responsibility for waste management. Anil Chitrakar facilitated the discussion on the topic "Extended Producer Responsibility in a Green Circular Economy" with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, environmentalists, and business owners. Experts also presented on technologies for reusing low-grade plastic to make household items, alternatives to wood using recycled plastic, and using old plastics for blacktopping roads.

Participants at the fest gained insights into the sustainability of recycling and upcycling industries. Clothing made from waste materials was also showcased. The two-day event attracted nearly 5,000 visitors. The fest was inaugurated on Friday by Pokhara Mayor Dhanraj Acharya, KOICA Country Director Moheon Kong, and UNDP Representative Julien Chevillard.

The festival featured:

Exhibitions of innovative recycling and upcycling products from across Nepal

Live technical demos showing the transformation of waste into useful products

Discussions on climate, sustainable tourism development, green entrepreneurship, and plastic-to-road technology

Creative workshops for youth

Public art exhibitions

Participatory activities

Special sessions on South Korea’s success stories

Topics on green jobs, market access, and sustainable livelihoods

Currently, under the Green Job Creation project, a Green Venture Zone (GVZ) center is being constructed in Pokhara with financial assistance of 9.8 million USD from KOICA and 0.87 million USD from UNDP. A total of 136 community groups have been formed in the metropolitan area, with relevant training and technical support provided.

“This project will connect youth to employment and significantly contribute to the development of a green economy,” said Mayor Acharya.

Proper waste management leading to green job creation and the innovative use of circular economy concepts is believed to be highly important for the broader community. To promote RU enterprises that contribute to the green economy, the municipality will take ownership of the project, ensuring sustainable policies. The project aims to create 3,000 jobs in the next two years.