Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC), in collaboration with SDGs National Network Nepal (A common platform of independent Civil Society Major Groups and Stakeholders) organized a program aimed at conducting a Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the progress of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on 18 April 2024 at its central office in Kathmandu. This initiative was undertaken with twin objectives of (a) increasing the awareness of trade union officials on the implementation of SDGs in Nepal; and (b) increasing the scope of trade unions on SDGs related interventions at different levels to contribute on issues related to workers. NTUC officials and representatives of NTUC affiliates were present in the program. The program was chaired by NTUC Senior Vice President Mr. Tejendra Jang Karki and coordinated and facilitated by NTUC Treasurer Mr. Sanjaya Kumar Dahal. The program has been successful in increasing NTUC leadership commitment to and awareness of the SDGs.  This will be reflected in the NTUC's soon-to-be-finalized three-year strategic plan.

The program followed the methodology of paper presentation, discussion on the presentation and group work. Two presentations were presented on the program. NTUC Central Committee member Mr. Mahendra Prasad Yadav presented his first paper focusing on the development of SDGs and most relevant SDGs goals that trade unions have to work out and contribute. He highlighted that trade unions should understand their position on where their issues are and how they are addressed. He further added that Trade Union Development Cooperation Network (TUDCN) raises the issues of workers at international development forums.

The first presentation also delved on 6 major goals which trade unions have major concern. They include: Goal 1: No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere; Goal 5: Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all; Goal 10: Reduced Inequality: Reduce inequality within and among countries; Goal 13: Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts and Goal 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goal: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. Mr. Yadav also expressed his view that the workers are often the poor people and hence bringing workers out of poverty will contribute to achieve the goal of 'No Poverty'.

The second presentation was presented by Mr. Daya Sagar Shrestha, the Resource Person of the program. He started his presentation highlighting the aim of voluntary national reviews (VNRs). He said the aim of VNR was to facilitate the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. He also presented on various thematic groups working on SDGs and the process of yearly review by the countries. He suggested NTUC to focus on issues of both organized and unorganized workers in the implementation of SDGs.

After the presentation, NTUC Senior Vice President (chair of the program), Vice President, Treasurer, NTUC focal person for SDGs and Program Officer also shared their thoughts on SDGs with reference to Nepal. NTUC Senior Vice President thanked NTUC team for bringing this issue at discussion as it was important agenda of the trade unions. At the end of the program, a questionnaire was provided to the participants for group work and provide feedback. It was agreed to provide suggestions as soon as possible.