CEAPRED Holds 38th General Assembly

The Center for Environmental and Agricultural Policy Research, Extension and Development (CEAPRED) successfully convened its 38th General Assembly (GA) on September 25, 2026. The Assembly was chaired by Dr. Munni Sharma, Chairperson of the Executive Committee, and attended by more than two-third of the general members, including Executive Committee members.

The General Assembly begun honoring the memory and contributions of the late Sambhu Sharan Prasad Kayastha, former Vice-Chairperson of the Center, who had served 12 years in Executive Committee and associated with the Center as general members till his last breath. Late Kayastha served as Vice-Chairperson for the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Executive Committee of the Center consecutively. In recognition of his dedicated service and invaluable contributions to the organization, the members of General Assembly observed a minute of silence to express their grief over his untimely demise.

The session commenced with the welcome remarks from Mr. Bed Prasad Bhattarai, Executive Committee Member, who emphasized the importance of exploring innovative and diversified opportunities to ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability. He highlighted the growing prospects in areas such as climate change, environmental sustainability, disaster risk reduction, and resilient livelihoods, while expressing his sincere appreciation to donors, development partners, academic institutions, government agencies, stakeholders, and members for their continued support and collaboration.

Following the welcome remarks, Dr. Pius Raj Mishra, Advisor to the Board read out the message received from the Patron of the Center, Dr. Hari Krishna Upadhyaya. In his message, the Patron highlighted how the CEAPRED was founded and how happy he is with what the CEAPRED has done for the cause of marginalized and poor people of the country. Patron’s message reiterated that CEAPRED was not meant for one man rather it is collective efforts and dedication of numerous individuals who have contributed to building and strengthening the organization throughout its 35-year journey.

Presenting the annual progress report, Mr. Jaya Mukunda Khanal, Executive Director, provided an overview of CEAPRED’s major achievements, ongoing initiatives, and future plans. He highlighted the organization’s contributions to sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, climate resilience, and livelihood improvement of marginalized communities. Mr. Khanal also shared the management’s efforts to strengthen organizational sustainability through the development and submission of numerous project proposals to various donors and development partners, aimed at expanding partnerships and diversifying funding opportunities.

The financial report of Fiscal Year 2082/83 was presented by Mr. Bharat Prasad Upadhyay, Treasurer of the Executive Committee. He outlined the organization’s income, expenditure, and overall financial performance, reflecting CEAPRED’s commitment to sound financial management, transparency, and accountability.

A key highlight of the General Assembly was the discussion on CEAPRED’s future strategic direction. Members actively shared their perspectives and recommendations on sustainable strategies, partnership development, and opportunities for expanding the organization’s outreach and impact. Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening collaboration with local governments, relevant ministries, development partners, and academic institutions to leverage CEAPRED’s expertise and respond to emerging development priorities.

Responding to the issues and recommendations raised by participants, Mr. Khanal assured members that the management team is actively exploring diversified funding opportunities and strategic partnerships while developing evidence-based interventions aligned with CEAPRED’s vision, mission, and strategic objectives.

Dr. Munni Sharma, in her concluding remarks, acknowledged CEAPRED’s achievements in reaching thousands of marginalized households through technical support, capacity building, and livelihood interventions. Emphasizing the organization’s resilience, she encouraged members and staff to remain optimistic and committed to the shared mission of improving livelihoods and promoting sustainable development. She reaffirmed her confidence that CEAPRED would continue to adapt, innovate, and overcome challenges through collective effort and dedication.

The General Assembly formally endorsed the annual progress report and the audited financial report for Fiscal Year 2082/83. The event concluded with an exchange of best wishes for the upcoming Nepali festive season and a renewed commitment to advancing CEAPRED’s mission of sustainable and inclusive development.