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The COP27 Presidency of Egypt has identified transport as an issue of particular importance for the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference taking place from 6-18 November 2022 in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt (known as COP27). The Egyptian presidency of the conference is including in its action agenda an entire afternoon on 17th November 2022 to convene stakeholders to discuss and make commitments to achieve equitable, healthy, green and resilient transport in Africa and the rest of the developing world. "The focus of COP27 is on implementation; now is the time for action. We hope to see stakeholders come together and demonstrate genuine commitment to active mobility and electrification of buses across the world, and particularly for the Global South” said Ambassador Ayman Tharwat Amin, Deputy Director of the Department of Climate, Environment and Sustainable Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egypt. In the lead up to transport discussions at COP27; on 7 September 2022 COP27 Presidency convened a meeting (moderated by UNEP and SLOCAT) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cairo, bringing together close to 100 stakeholders including governments, multilateral development banks, UN agencies, private sector, civil society and NGOs. The meeting sought to strengthen consensus on what specific COP27 transport-related outcomes could be achieved to support low-and middle-income countries, with a focus on Africa. "The combination of decarbonized of public transport, walking and cycling holds the key to many of the solutions needed to achieve our goals through a just transition. It is inspiring to see such a wide range of stakeholders come together to discuss how COP27 can pave the way for accelerating action with Africa and the Global South in the lead.” said Ms. Maruxa Cardama, Secretary General, SLOCAT Partnership. Areas explored included: ● Creating an overarching framework with SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) outcomes that identifies the gaps, and builds on previous initiatives, and feeds back into these efforts to ensure continuity, alignment and scaling up. ● Secure high-level commitment from interested Parties and non-party stakeholders. ● Identify relevant announcements under preparation by leading entities. ● Develop roadmaps for stakeholder engagement, including Parties. "COP27 is a golden opportunity to make sure developing countries take centre stage and also to prioritise two critical solutions in the fight against climate change- active mobility and electrification” added Rob de Jong, Head-Sustainable Mobility Unit, UNEP. This prioritisation and focus on transport are more critical than ever before; transport accounts for 15% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and is the fastest growing source of emissions. According to the IPCC Climate Change 2022 Report for Policymakers, the global share of GHG emissions attributed to urban areas is increasing, from 62% in 2015 to about 67-72% in 2020. Applying the Avoid-Shift-Improve (ASI) framework through integrated, inter-modal and balanced approaches is critical to effectively enabling equitable, healthy, green and resilient transport pathways. The combination of public transport based on clean technologies and walking and cycling hold the key to many of the solutions needed to achieve our goals through a just transition. Still, these are under-prioritised aspects of the climate agenda, from a policy and funding perspective. All over the world, decades of car-centric cities and transport planning have had negative impacts on cities - from rocketing emissions, poor air quality and dangerous roads, to plans and policies that leave the poorest behind. While the need to transform transport systems is universal, there is urgency in focusing on the Global South, where most of the vehicle growth is underway and projected to continue, and where the majority of urban dwellers use public or paratransit services and walk or cycle despite the lack of infrastructure for safe active mobility. Many cities in the Global South are already planning low-carbon public transport options, including electric buses. It is a matter of urgency to ensure that these investments scale up the use of clean technologies to not lock them into non-sustainable pathways. It is equally important to ensure that these public transport systems are integrated with active mobility interventions for safe walking and cycling.

Nepali Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen at the latter’s office in Dhaka on Tuesday. During the meeting, views were exchanged on matters of mutual interest, including the promotion of economic linkages forfurther strengthening Nepal-Bangladesh relations, the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka said. On the occasion, Foreign Minister Momen recalled the contribution of Nepali political and civil society leaders during the liberation war of Bangladesh. He expressed happiness on the increasing momentum of bilateral engagements and underlined the need to enhance economic cooperation in the days ahead. While noting the state of excellent bilateral relations, both at the political and people-to-people levels, ambassador Bhandari also highlighted the positive trends of ongoing engagements between the two countries. He expressed his commitment to work towards consolidating ties in the areas of trade, connectivity, energy, education, and tourism among others, the Embassy said. Earlier today, Ambassador Bhandari also had a meeting with Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh. They reviewed diverse areas of cooperation and exchanged views on ways and means to further strengthen Nepal-Bangladesh relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries, according to the Embassy. Ambassador Bhandari was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission Kumar Rai and Second Secretary Ranjan Yadav during the meetings.    

Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the Republic of China, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at Singha Durbar on Tuesday. During the meeting, the two dignitaries discussed wide-ranging matters of mutual interest between the two countries including bilateral trade, investment, connectivity, return of Nepali students to China, resumption of passenger flights, and reopening of border ports, among others, read a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Chinese side appreciated Nepal for its stand on One China policy and its commitment not to allow the Nepali territory to be used against the core interests of China. On the occasion, the Prime Minister appreciated China for its continued support to Nepal’s development endeavours over the years. Li assured the Prime Minister that China will reopen the border ports shortly after controlling Covid-19 cases in Tibet while facilitating the passage of containers carrying goods and supplies for upcoming festivities in Nepal, the statement read. The Chinese delegation informed that it will step up efforts to implement Chinese-assisted projects in Nepal. In response to Nepal’s request, the Chinese side agreed to take proactive efforts to support Nepal’s smooth and sustainable graduation from the LDC status. Earlier this morning, Chinese leader Li held a meeting with Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Chairperson of the National Assembly of the Federal Parliament of Nepal. During the meeting, various matters of Nepal-China relations including the inter-parliamentary exchanges and cooperation were discussed. In the afternoon, Narayan Khadka, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with Li. The two sides exchanged views on various aspects of Nepal-China relations during the meeting.    

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in his first foreign visit since the COVID-19 pandemic, and inject more Chinese wisdom to the SCO which remains cohesive and attractive to potential new members by advocating equity, justice and true multilateralism in a turbulent and divided world, Global Times reported. The SCO summit in Samarkand will be the first in-person summit since June 2019 when leaders met in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi are among leaders expected to attend. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, Xi will also pay state visits to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from September 14 to 16 at the invitation of the presidents of the two countries. First foreign visit The SCO, the first international organization named after a Chinese city, has a unique significance in China's diplomacy as it includes China's neighbors, regional powers, key BRI partners and plays an important role in coordinating regional affairs, observers said. At a time when China is summarizing its achievements made in the past 10 years and is ready to embark on a new journey of great rejuvenation, the Central Asia trip and the summit of a Eurasian-spanning organization composed of countries of different development paths, systems and cultures, will be an ideal occasion for China to present its wisdom in development and international relations and make contributions to the world, analysts said. Choosing the SCO summit as the destination of his first foreign visit since the pandemic demonstrates the great importance Xi attaches to the SCO and China's focus on neighborhood diplomacy, Li Ziguo, a senior research fellow with the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Monday. Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at the Renmin University of China stressed that the SCO, accounting for 41 percent of the world's population and 24 percent of global GDP, and which keeps attracting more countries to join, is set to play a pivot role in interpreting and showcasing new forms of international relations, new forms of international organizations, and depicting new forms of human civilization. Zhang Hong, an Eastern European studies expert from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), said Xi's trip and attendance at the SCO summit will serve as a new booster for cooperation with Central Asian and South Asian countries to develop further, and push forward the BRI, according to Global Times. Given the complexity of international and regional situations, the SCO's development is an important pillar supporting true multilateralism and win-win cooperation, and the establishment of a new, democratic, just and rational political and economic international order, the expert said. Kazakhstan is the place where Xi first proposed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013. As of today, over 140 countries spanning different regions, cultures and stages of development, and more than 30 international organizations, have signed BRI cooperation documents with China, the Xinhua News Agency reported. According to official data, China's trade with BRI economies jumped 20.2 percent in the first eight months of 2022 compared to the same period last year. Highlights Eight countries enjoy the status of full SCO membership: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and India; four countries - Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia - have observer status, and six countries - Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey, and Sri Lanka - have dialogue partner status. One of the key agendas for the Samarkand summit is enlarging the membership. The heads of SCO states will adopt a memorandum of obligations for Iran to receive SCO membership. The SCO has also received Belarus' application and admission procedures could begin at the summit in Samarkand. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt will formally become SCO dialogue partners with the signing of relevant documents and negotiations will be held on granting Bahrain, the Maldives and other states' the status of dialogue partner. Li said that against the backdrop of major changes in international relations, the enlargement of the SCO fully demonstrates that current members and pending partners recognize the organization and its guiding Shanghai Spirit, Global Times reported. Championing mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and pursuit of common development, the SCO creates a sphere of fair and just cooperation and sets a model of a new type of international relations with win-win cooperation at the core, Li noted. At the international level, more members mean stronger voices in global governance. When conflicts and uncertainty create havoc in the world, it is noteworthy that the SCO has cast aside the Cold War mentality, concepts such as the clash of civilizations and superiority of certain civilizations, but upholds non-confrontational principles and maintains cooperation that does not target third parties, experts said. Zhang Hong from CASS sees the summit as an occasion for bilateral interactions where Xi and other heads of states can exchange views and enhance mutual trust. Zhang in particular mentioned possible bilateral meetings of Xi with Putin and Modi. Xi met Putin last in February at the start of the Beijing Winter Olympics and analysts believe the two top leaders' first meeting since the Russia-Ukraine conflict will point the direction for the future development of bilateral relations. Against the backdrop of sweeping Western sanctions against Russia, China-Russia trade jumped 31 percent year-on-year from January to August to $117.2 billion and the two just agreed to a switch in gas payment currencies from the US dollar to the Chinese yuan and Russian ruble. On India, Zhang said he expects a further easing of the China-India border tension through effective communication of the leaders with strategic visions. There are positive signs as the two sides just conducted a fourth round of disengagement after being in stalemate for over a year, the Hindustan Times reported Monday. Though the SCO is more focused on security issues, observers share the consensus that the bloc has a great economic potential with more and more states of various economic structures set to join as members or partners. Li believes the wider participation of Middle Eastern states as well as emerging manufacturing countries means the SCO has large energy consumption needs and strong supply chains, possibly changing the landscape of the energy industry in the region. Zhao Huirong, also from CASS, told the Global Times earlier that taking into account the needs of member countries in terms of financial cooperation, the SCO may expand the scale of local currency settlements and currency swaps in the future, and study the possibility of establishing an independent payment system. Given the surges in China-Russia and India-Russia trade since the Ukraine crisis, and how the US-led confrontation against China and Russia has disturbed both the global economy and the stability of supply chains, the SCO can be a platform for economic multilateralism and boosting regional economic integration, analysts said.

Nepal reported 203 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, 1, 300 swab samples were tested in the RT-PCR method, of which 87 returned positive. Likewise, 3, 759 people underwent antigen tests, of which 116 were tested positive. The Ministry said that 126 infected people recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours. As of today, there are 2, 232 active cases in the country.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 21.30 points to close at 1,934.04 points on Tuesday. Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 3. 83 points to close at 376. 17 points. A total of 3,146,996 unit shares of 231 companies were traded for Rs 92 billion. In today’s market, all sub-indices saw green. Life Insurance topped the chart with 96. 22 points. Meanwhile, Bottlers Nepal (Balaju) Limited was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Nepal Bank Debenture was the top loser as its price fell by 9.59 percent. At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 2. 77 trillion.

An armed group and police exchanged fire at Portaha-based Charnath Khola in Ganeshman Charnath Municipality-4 of Dhanusha district on Monday. The firing started after a police team led by Sub-Inspector Ramnath Yadav deployed from the Portaha Police Post, Ganeshman Charnath Municipality tried to stop the armed group at around 11:40 pm, the Area Police Office, Dhalkewar said. Police fired two rounds of bullets in retaliation after the armed group opened fire at the security personnel. A member of the armed group was injured in the police firing. Others fled the scene, the District Police Office, Dhanusha said. The suspect has been identified as Ganesh Bahadur Budhathoki (30) of Ganeshman Charnath Municipality-5. Budhathoki, who received a bullet on his left leg, is undergoing treatment at the Provincial Hospital in Janakpur. Police said that they have recovered a loaded gun from his possession. Further investigation into the incident is underway, police said.

The government has decided to accept concessional loan assistance of around Rs 35 billion from the World Bank. Speaking at a press conference organized to make public the decisions of the Cabinet, government spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki said that the government has decided to accept assistance from the World Bank to enhance transport and trade relations. Similarly, the government has decided to form a team to accept USD 12 billion grant aid from the Asian Development Bank for the woman protection and upliftment strengthening project. Likewise, the government has decided to give permission to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to sign a memorandum of understanding to establish a bilateral consultation mechanism between Nepal and Romania. Moreover, the government has decided to givepermission to establish a zoo in Madhesh Province.