We are committed to a lead-free Nepal

KP Sharma Oli, Prime Minister 

It is my distinct honor to attend and address this august gathering of high officials for a ‘Lead Free Future.’ I wish to thank the United States Agency for International Development for organizing this important event and for the opportunity to share our views. 

It is a distressing fact that lead poisoning harms every other child in low- and middle-income countries, damaging their cognitive development, physical health and future potential. If calculated in economic terms, some reports state that lead exposure causes global productivity losses at an estimated $1.4trn annually. Although controlling lead poisoning is entirely preventable and not so costly, we have not done enough.  

Let me put some of my thoughts on this issue:

First, governments should take the leadership and put in place effective domestic policy measures such as limiting and, where necessary, banning the use of lead in different sectors. 

Second, the United Nations and its agencies should put this issue on high priority. 

UN agencies should help national institutions, particularly in the LDCs and the LICs, through capacity building, education, awareness raising, training, and research and development. 

WHO can provide support to install necessary testing facilities in hospitals and labs.

Third, resource mobilization is a key to the success of this effort. For this, World Bank and other IFIs, international and bilateral donors like USAID scale up their support in needy countries.  

Fourth, a mass awareness program should be launched with specific target groups like children and pregnant women, reaching out the furthest behind. 

Excellencies, Nepal is one of the first countries in the Global South to ban leaded gasoline and the first in the region to regulate lead in paint through binding rules. 

In 2014, the Government of Nepal enacted the National Lead Paint Standard to eliminate leaded paint from Nepal.

In 2023, we introduced strict regulations limiting heavy metals, including lead, in infant food, alcoholic beverages, and essential food and water supplies. 

In 2024, we have taken another significant step forward with the enactment of our Food Safety Bill, further strengthening the regulatory framework to protect public health.

We will conduct a national blood lead level assessment in 2025, to collect critical data to further refine our health and environmental policies. 

We are determined to join the global effort to ensure that no child’s potential is diminished by lead exposure. 

As we need concerted global efforts to control lead exposure in our children worldwide, we move forward with the Partnership for a Lead-Free Future.

Let me express Nepal’s firm commitment to work with all partners for a lead-free future in Nepal and beyond. 

Excerpts from Prime Minister  KP Sharma Oli’s speech delivered at the Partnership Launch and Pledging Event on ‘A Lead-Free Future’. The event was organized by USAID