Dr. Ram Kumar Phuyal, former Member of Nepal’s National Planning Commission (2018–2024), rejoined CEDA as Expert-Professor of Economics in February 2025. A leading economist with over two decades of academic and policy experience, he played a pivotal role in designing and formulating Nepal’s 15th and 16th Plans, advancing SDG implementation, and shaping national development strategies. Prior to NPC, he served as Associate Professor of Economics at CEDA, Tribhuvan University from 2013-2018. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Chonnam National University, South Korea in 2011, and completed postdoctoral research at its Centre for Regional Development in 2012.