On 11-17 November, the National Information Officer (NIO) of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Kathmandu visited with students and teachers in the town of Biratnagar, 550 kilometers east of Kathmandu.

The NIO met with over 1,200 students in grades 8, 9, and 10 over the 7 day period. The NIO spoke to the students about the work of the United Nations at the national and international level and focused on the promotion of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The NIO prepared kits for the students which contained copies of the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" in Nepali, "The United Nations Today", "60 Ways the UN Makes a Difference" and information about the Holocaust and peacekeeping.

Approximately 800 guests gathered at the UN House in Kathmandu to celebrate United Nations Day, 24 October 2008. In addition to watching the Secretary-General's video message, visitors viewed exhibits at eighteen information booths showcasing activities of various UN agencies operating in Nepal. Four students were given awards for their performances in a student debate contest where they spoke on the issue of youth and unemployment. A highlight of the programme was a play that addressed issues of poverty, development and conflict in Nepal.

On 17 July the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Kathmandu participated in the launch of the Least Developed Countries Report 2008, which was entitled "Growth, Poverty and the Terms of Development Partnership."

At the launch the UN Resident Coordinator for Nepal and Director of the UN Information Centre emphasized the importance on the part of Nepal's Government in making the right policy choices in order to place Nepal on a track to faster and more equitable growth. He also underlined the vital role Nepal’s donors must play in supporting Nepal in these efforts.

“This is one club Nepal really doesn’t want to be a member of” said the Resident Coordinator. “We need a much greater sense of urgency amongst all those responsible to get Nepal out of it. Only effective economic  policies that create employment, increase agricultural productivity and reduce dependence on commodities can ensure that growth – when it comes - will translate into poverty reduction. One third of Nepal’s population continue to live in some of the worst conditions to be found on the planet.”

The report was published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Kathmandu celebrated the Day of Vesak on 20 May in association with the International Institute of Buddhist Studies Nepal. The the UN Resident Coordinator/UNIC Director, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal, the Chairperson of the International Institute of Buddhist Studies and leading Nepalese monks and nuns spoke at the commemoration. The UN Resident Coordinator highlighted the significance of the Day from the UN’s perspective and read the Secretary-General's message.

This day was approved by a UN General Assembly resolution acknowledging that the Day of Vesak, the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May each year, be internationally recognized. The resolution recognized that it is the most sacred day to Buddhists, who commemorate on this occasion the birth of the Buddha, his attainment of enlightenment and his passing away.