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The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UN Climate Change released urgent reports on the escalating levels of greenhouse gasses and the inadequacy of current emissions targets. Both reports underscore the dire need for rapid and aggressive climate policies ahead of COP29, which is set to take place in Baku from Nov 11 to 22.

The WMO reported on Monday that greenhouse gas concentrations reached unprecedented levels in 2023, driving global temperatures higher and committing the planet to years of warming. The UN agency’s annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin highlighted that carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and nitrous oxide concentrations are all at record highs, with CO2 levels climbing at an alarming rate—up more than 10 percent in just two decades.

CO2 concentrations rose by 11.4 percent in the past 20 years, reaching 420 ppm in 2023. Methane and nitrous oxide levels were also significantly elevated, reaching 1,934 ppb and 336.9 ppb, respectively. These values represent 151 percent, 265 percent, and 125 percent increases from pre-industrial levels, according to the WMO’s Global Atmosphere Watch network of monitoring stations.

“These aren’t just statistics; every part per million and every fraction of a degree of temperature increase brings real impacts on our lives and ecosystems,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. The 2023 CO2 increase was 2.3 ppm—the 12th consecutive year with an increase above two ppm—driven by persistent fossil fuel emissions and aggravated by large-scale vegetation fires and the effects of El Niño.

The report underscores the difficulty in meeting the Paris Agreement goals to limit warming below 2°C, with an aspirational target of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. “We are clearly off track,” said Saulo. She stressed that warming feedbacks—where rising temperatures reduce the ability of ecosystems to absorb CO2—pose an even greater risk.

Due to the long atmospheric lifespan of CO2, the current levels of global warming will likely persist for decades, even with rapid emission cuts. “The warming effects of CO2 will not dissipate quickly, locking in temperature increases for generations,” noted Saulo. Radiative forcing—or the warming impact from greenhouse gasses—has increased by 51.5 percent since 1990, with CO2 accounting for 81 percent of this rise.

The WMO report highlighted concerns over the durability of natural carbon sinks. Currently, oceans and land ecosystems absorb nearly half of CO2 emissions, with oceans accounting for a quarter and land ecosystems nearly 30 percent. However, as Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett noted, climate change could reduce these natural carbon sinks’ efficiency. “Warming oceans may absorb less CO2, while wildfires could release more carbon into the atmosphere,” Barrett warned, adding that climate feedback could intensify warming further.

The WMO pointed out that current CO2 levels mirror those of 3m-5m years ago, a period when global temperatures were 2-3°C higher and sea levels were 10-20 meters above today’s levels. With the WMO warning that ecosystems themselves might soon become net emitters of greenhouse gasses, Barrett stressed the urgency of addressing these “vicious cycles” that could exacerbate the crisis and have profound impacts on human society.

These findings align with the UN Environment Program’s recent Emissions Gap Report, which assesses the growing disparity between current emissions and levels needed to meet climate targets.

On Monday, UN Climate Change released its 2024 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Synthesis Report. The report evaluates the collective impact of current national climate plans on anticipated global emissions by 2030, underscoring the critical changes required to avert severe climate impacts. 

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell emphasizes that this report “must mark a turning point, ending the era of inadequacy and sparking a new age of acceleration” with much bolder climate plans needed from all nations in the coming year. 

The report finds that combined global NDCs would lead to a mere 2.6 percent reduction in emissions by 2030 from 2019 levels, only marginally improving on last year’s two percent projection. This falls far short of the 43 percent reduction by 2030 needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C, as advised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Stiell states, “Current national climate plans fall miles short of what’s needed to stop global heating from crippling every economy and wrecking billions of lives and livelihoods across every country.” He emphasizes that “much bolder new national climate plans can not only avert climate chaos—done well, they can be transformational for people and prosperity in every nation.”

The report serves as a wake-up call, highlighting that “emissions of 51.5 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2030—only 2.6 percent lower than in 2019—will guarantee a human and economic train wreck for every country.” 

Stiell urges nations to adopt “ambitious new emissions targets that are economy-wide” and ensure they are backed by “substantive regulations, laws, and funding to ensure goals are met and plans implemented.” He also emphasizes the need for new NDCs to detail adaptation priorities and investments to protect vulnerable sectors and populations.

With COP29 in Baku on the horizon, Stiell stresses the importance of converting commitments from COP28, such as transitioning from fossil fuels and tripling renewables, into concrete policies. He concludes that new NDCs will be among “the most important policy documents” of the century, setting a clear path for renewable energy scaling, strengthened adaptation, and accelerated low-carbon transitions globally.

Both reports aim to inform COP29 discussions, where decision-makers are urged to treat the surging greenhouse gas levels as a “wakeup call” and to adopt more aggressive climate policies.

Nepal clinched a remarkable T20 series victory against the United States, winning the second match in a nail-biting Super Over on Sunday morning in Dallas, Texas. With the series already 1-0 in their favor after a 17-run victory in the first match, Nepal’s dramatic win secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with one game still to be played.

The second match went to a Super Over after both teams finished their 20 overs tied at 170 runs. Batting first, Nepal put up 170 runs for the loss of six wickets, driven by a brilliant 92-run knock from Kushal Bhurtel. The US responded in kind, scoring 170/8, with Andries Gous leading the charge with 62 runs from 43 balls, including three fours and four sixes. The tense game was decided by a Super Over when US batsman Jasdeep Singh was run out attempting a two, leaving the teams level at the end of regular play.

In the Super Over, US batsmen Shayan Jahangir and Andries Gous faced Nepal’s Sompal Kami, who delivered a fantastic spell. Kami gave up just two runs off his first two deliveries and then struck twice, dismissing Jahangir and Aaron Jones in consecutive balls, leaving Nepal a target of just three runs to win.

Nepal’s captain Rohit Paudel and opener Kushal Bhurtel took charge in the Super Over. Paudel picked up a single off the first ball, followed by Bhurtel, who added another run. Despite a dot ball in the third delivery, Paudel managed to score again, sealing the victory for Nepal after just four balls, sparking celebrations from the Nepali side.

Before the Super Over, Nepal’s innings was anchored by Bhurtel’s spectacular batting performance. The opener smashed seven boundaries and six towering sixes in his 54-ball innings. Anil Sah also contributed with 25 runs off 31 balls, while Gulsan Jha chipped in with a quick-fire 19 runs from 12 balls. However, the middle order faltered slightly, with Captain Rohit Paudel departing after a 14-ball 18, and Dipendra Singh Airee and Aarif Sheikh falling for 2 and 1 run, respectively. Karan KC added the finishing touches with a six off his only ball.

In response, the US started slowly but gained momentum as Gous and Saiteja Mukkamalla formed key partnerships. However, Nepal’s bowlers kept the pressure on, with Karan KC and Sompal Kami delivering in crucial moments. KC took three wickets, including that of US captain Monank Patel for just one run and Harmeet Singh for two, while Kami picked up two wickets, including Jones for seven and Jasdeep Singh in the final run-out that sent the match into a Super Over.

In the last over of regular play, the US needed seven runs to win, with Gous still at the crease. Kami bowled a tight over, dismissing Gous with the fourth ball, leaving the US needing two runs off the last ball. Jasdeep Singh was run out while attempting the second run, tying the game and sending it into the Super Over.

Nepal’s win secures them the series, with the final match scheduled for Monday morning.

Basant Raj Mishra, a pioneering figure in Nepal’s tourism industry and the founder and executive chairperson of Temple Tiger Group of Companies, passed away on Sunday morning while receiving treatment for dengue at Norvic Hospital, Kathmandu. He was 71.

Born on 20 Feb 1953, in Kathmandu, Mishra attended Padmodaya School before graduating from Patan Campus in Lalitpur. With a passion for entrepreneurship, he traveled to Europe after his studies to take courses in business management and marketing. 

Reflecting on his journey in The Annapurna Express’s ‘ApEx Pioneer’ column, he once said, “I was born into a family with a bureaucratic background, but a government job never appealed to me. My interest was rather in business, to start something of my own.”

Mishra’s insights into life and work were profound. “Europe taught me that work is vital, not just for income but also to establish your identity. Ultimately, what matters is not how much you earn but who you are.” This perspective guided his career, as he began working in tourism in 1977, eventually founding the Temple Tiger Group of Companies 11 years later, one of the first businesses to promote sustainable and responsible tourism in Nepal.

This visionary’s contributions went beyond entrepreneurship. He was a former chairperson of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter and a PATA Life Member, and played a pivotal role in linking Nepal with international tourism circles. His goal was always to establish Nepal as a stand-alone tourism destination. “When I was starting, many tourists visited Nepal through Indian travel agencies, which considered Nepal an extension of their own country. My goal was to make Nepal a stand-alone destination,” Mishra said in the interview.

Mishra’s nephew, Pius Raj Mishra, described his uncle in the ‘ApEx Pioneer’ column as a man who lived by the mantra ‘work is worship’. He noted, “Hard work has given him global recognition as a successful tourism entrepreneur and conservationist. Even in our own family, everyone rushes to him for help and advice.”

A colleague, Sanjay Nepal also reflected on Mishra’s character in the same interview, saying, “In tourism, many people are double-tongued, but he is what he is. If he is angry, he will show it to you. He is also open-minded, a quality that many lack. Most importantly, he is a determined learner. To this day, he calls me for suggestions.”

Mishra’s impact on conservation tourism in Nepal was groundbreaking. As he said, “Shifting to conservation tourism was my best career decision. In light of the prevalent climate change, Nepal has always been at the forefront of travel practices that minimize environmental waste, encourage conservation and educate travelers on the environment.” He often remarked that ‘Nepal is the Africa of South Asia’ when it came to wildlife tourism, emphasizing the country’s role in promoting sustainable travel.

Mishra was also the founding director of the Nepal Tourism Board, an entity established  in 1998 to foster private-public partnerships in tourism promotion. His leadership helped transform Nepal into a global example of successful conservation, adventure and wildlife tourism.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including the closure of hotels inside national parks, Mishra’s adaptability and resilience were key to his enduring success. “I have overcome many odds to succeed in this sector,” he said. “There are new setbacks and challenges every other day, but I can deal with them as I am a very adaptable creature.”

Mishra’s legacy as a global ambassador for Nepali tourism will continue to inspire future generations.

He is survived by his wife, Jyanu Mishra, his son, Brajesh Raj Mishra—and his contributions to the tourism and hospitality industries. 

His last rites were performed on Sunday noon at Pashupati Aryaghat. His visionary leadership, commitment to sustainable tourism and passion for promoting Nepal’s identity on the world stage will be remembered for years to come.

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell has called for an urgent and substantial increase in global climate finance to address the escalating climate crisis. Speaking at a Brookings Institution virtual event on Thursday, Stiell emphasized that while recent progress in climate finance is notable, it falls significantly short of the necessary scale required to protect the global economy and vulnerable communities from worsening climate impacts.

Stiell pointed to the fact that over a trillion dollars was invested in climate action globally last year, a major leap from just a few hundred billion a decade ago. Additionally, developed countries provided and mobilized over $100bn in climate finance to developing nations in 2022, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates. However, he warned that despite these advances, much more is needed to meet the global climate challenge, especially as countries around the world face mounting damages from extreme weather events and economic disruptions linked to the climate crisis.

“We’ve seen hundreds of billions of dollars of damage to countries, rich and poor, this year alone,” Stiell remarked. “We simply can’t afford a world of clean energy haves and have-nots. In a two-speed global transition, pretty soon everyone loses.”

Stiell stressed that trillions of dollars more in investment are needed to enable all nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions and bolster their resilience to climate impacts. Without decisive action, he warned, economies will suffer more severely in the years to come. He urged the international community to seize the opportunity of the upcoming World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings, where multilateral development banks (MDBs) will play a critical role in driving the climate transition.

While welcoming recent moves by the World Bank to increase concessional lending for climate action, Stiell noted that incremental changes will not suffice. “On climate finance, we have a need for speed,” he said, emphasizing that developing countries must have access to more funds, fiscal space, and debt relief to enable effective climate action.

He called on the G20, as the largest shareholders of the MDBs, to properly fund these institutions and support reforms to the international financial system. Stiell highlighted Brazil’s G20 leadership, noting its efforts to bring together climate and finance ministers—a collaboration that he hopes will lead to more concrete outcomes.

Looking ahead to COP29 in Baku, Stiell emphasized that a new international climate finance goal must be established, one that aligns with the needs of developing countries. “COP29 must be the stand-and-deliver COP,” he said, underscoring that climate finance is central to saving the global economy and protecting billions of lives from rampaging climate impacts.

Stiell also stressed the importance of public finance, calling for more grant-based and concessional funding, and underscoring the need to leverage private finance to scale up climate investments. Additionally, he called for mechanisms to ensure that promised funds are delivered, more support for adaptation, and the effective operation of the Loss and Damage Fund, established at COP28.

“We must fund a new generation of national climate plans,” Stiell said, urging governments to convert pledges made at COP28 into real-world results, such as tripling renewable energy, doubling energy efficiency, and phasing out fossil fuels.

In closing, Stiell warned against isolationist tendencies in a time of global fractures. “If we go down this path, it will soon be game over in the world’s climate fight,” he said, urging leaders to recognize that climate finance is in every nation’s interest and that boulder climate action offers a pathway to stronger growth, more jobs, and better health for all.

The route for electricity export from Nepal to Bangladesh has officially opened. With the signing of an electricity sale agreement between three companies from Nepal, India and Bangladesh on Thursday, Nepal is set to export electricity to a third country for the first time. Nepal has been exporting electricity to India for the past three years.

A tripartite Power Sale Agreement (PSA) was signed between the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and India’s NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (NVVN) during a program held in Kathmandu. As part of this agreement, Nepal will export 40 MW of electricity to Bangladesh in the first phase.

The agreement outlines that Nepal will sell the electricity, which will be transported through India’s transmission lines, and Bangladesh will purchase it. NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising, BPDB President Rejul Karim and NVVN CEO Renu Narang signed the agreement.

The signing took place in the presence of Nepal’s Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka, and Bangladesh’s Minister for Forest, Environment, Climate Change and Water Resources, Syeda Rizwana Hasan. The Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, was also present at the event.

Although the tripartite agreement was originally scheduled for July, it was postponed due to political protests in Bangladesh.

NEA Executive Director Ghising described the agreement as a milestone in South Asia’s energy cooperation, stating, “This is the culmination of our shared vision. It will open doors for subregional and regional cooperation.”

According to the agreement, NEA will export electricity to BPDB at a rate of about Rs 8.64 per unit (6.40 US cents).

For the export to Bangladesh, BPDB will pay a ‘wheeling charge’ to NVVN for using India’s transmission lines.

Nepal will install an electricity meter in Muzaffarpur, India, where the amount of electricity exported to Bangladesh will be recorded. NEA will bear the technical losses incurred up to that point, while Bangladesh will cover the technical losses from Muzaffarpur to its border. As a result, the price of electricity will increase from 6.4 cents to 7.6 cents per unit by the time it reaches Bangladesh.

Bangladesh will receive electricity through the Brahmapur (India)–Bheramara (Bangladesh) 400 KV transmission line, which it currently uses to import electricity from NVVN.

The agreement, which is valid for five years, stipulates that 144m units of electricity will be exported to Bangladesh annually, Ghising stated. He also noted that around Rs 1.21trn worth of electricity will be exported to Bangladesh each year.

The export will begin after receiving the necessary permissions from India, making Nepal the first country to export electricity to a third country, according to Ghising.

He added that Nepal aims to export 10,000 MW of electricity to India and 5,000 MW to Bangladesh in the future.

The NEA plans to export electricity generated by the 25 MW Trishuli and 22 MW Chilime hydropower projects—both built with Indian subsidies and owned by the authority—to Bangladesh. Both projects have received approval for electricity export to India.

For the next five years, the authority will sell 40 MW to Bangladesh during the rainy season, from June 15 to Nov 15 each year.

Bangladesh had previously decided to import 40 MW from Nepal. On Dec 20 last year, the Economic Affairs Committee of Bangladesh’s Council of Ministers under then Finance Minister Mustafa Kamal approved BPDB’s proposal to import 40 MW.

NEA and BPDB agreed on the electricity rate in late February. A tripartite agreement was prepared in Kathmandu on July 13, but it was delayed due to political unrest in Bangladesh.

Landslides and floods resulting from days of monsoon rains have claimed at least 148 lives across Nepal even as rescue teams continue their search for dozens of missing individuals. Authorities reported recovery of bodies from vehicles buried under landslide debris near Kathmandu.

Clearer weather on Sunday allowed rescue teams to intensify search and rescue operations, although Kathmandu remains isolated, with major routes connecting the city with the rest of the country blocked by debris. Rescuers pulled 35 bodies from three buses buried under debris at a landslide site in Dhunibeshi municipality-9 (Dhading district), as workers continued to sift through the wreckage in search of survivors.

According to police, recent disasters have left 86 people injured while at least 59 people caught in disasters remain unaccounted for. The death toll is expected to rise with reports from remote areas, many of which remain cut off due to flooding and landslides, still awaited.

In southern Kathmandu, floodwaters have started to recede, allowing residents to clean their homes. The Kathmandu Valley has suffered significant losses, with at least 68 lives lost.

Rescue efforts have been bolstered by the involvement of both police and military personnel, who are using heavy machinery to clear the debris from roads and residential areas. In response to the widespread destruction, the government has ordered the closure of schools and colleges across Nepal for three days.

The annual monsoon, which enters Nepal in June and withdraws by mid-September (generally), often leads to destructive flooding and landslides, exacerbating the country’s challenges in coping with the natural disasters that frequently accompany the rainy season.

The Kathmandu Valley faced a devastating natural disaster over the weekend as an unprecedented 240 millimeters (9.4 inches) of rain fell within 24 hours leading up to Saturday morning—the heaviest rainfall recorded since at least 1970.

Flood-affected residents, most of them living near river banks, began returning to their mud-caked on Sunday to assess the damage. Rain-swollen rivers in Kathmandu Valley breached banks and several settlements, causing significant damage to properties. Many neighborhoods were waterlogged, requiring security personnel to conduct emergency rescue operations.  

Heavy rainfall has also damaged the roads and highways leading to the Kathmandu Valley isolating Kathmandu from the rest of Nepal. Over 3,000 personnel are involved in rescue efforts, utilizing bulldozers to clear debris-laden roads. Rafts and helicopters have been deployed to assist rescue teams to reach stranded survivors.

By Sunday morning, domestic flights resumed after severe weather conditions halted all air traffic from Friday evening, resulting in more than 150 flight cancellations. The situation remains critical as authorities continue their search for missing persons and work to provide relief to those affected by the catastrophic floods and landslides.

Rs 2.45bn loss in energy sector

The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation has reported significant damage to the energy sector, estimating losses at around Rs 2.45bn due to recent floods and landslides. Energy Minister Deepak Khadka stated that floods and landslides have resulted in the suspension of 1,100 MW of electricity production. In addition to losses in power generation, damages to irrigation infrastructure are estimated at Rs 1.35bn. Kulman Ghising, the executive director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, confirmed that the Tamakoshi Hydropower Project has been shut down for three days. He warned that if the project remains closed for an extended period, it could lead to issues in load management.

Beyond the Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, damage has been reported in other critical areas, including two towers in the Kabeli Corridor. Furthermore, 200 MW of power production has been disrupted after the Tamakoshi River swept away the Khimti Tower, which is crucial for transmitting electricity to Kathmandu. The Ministry of Energy highlighted that an additional tower responsible for transmitting 800 MW of electricity in Tamakoshi is currently at risk.

Fifteen under-construction projects, collectively with a capacity of 1,000 MW, have also suffered significant damage. 

Young footballers killed

In a tragic incident, six teenage footballers lost their lives in a landslide in Sisneri, Indrasarowar Rural Municipality-3, while returning from training at the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Academy. The players, students of Shree Batsala Devi Secondary School, were caught in the landslide on Saturday.

Their bodies were airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu by an army helicopter. The grieving families of the deceased are demanding clear information and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding their death. They have stated they will not accept the bodies until they receive satisfactory answers from ANFA.

Koshi records second-biggest flood

The Saptakoshi region experienced its second-largest flood since the construction of the Koshi Barrage in 1962, with water flow reaching a staggering 661,005 cusecs on Sunday morning. This follows the record flood of 788,200 cusecs recorded on 5 Oct 1968.

As the water levels surged, authorities opened all 56 gates of the barrage to mitigate the risk of further flooding. By Sunday afternoon, the water began to recede, providing some relief to the area. Officials continue to monitor the situation closely, assessing the risks from high water levels.

Similarly, the dam gates of the Kulekhani Reservoir were briefly opened on Saturday morning after the reservoir exceeded its danger mark of 1,530 meters. The gates were closed after 12 hours when the water level decreased to 1,525meters.

All three hydropower projects at Kulekhani—Kulekhani 1, 2, and 3—are now operating at full capacity, generating a total of 106 MW of electricity. 

Nepali Army Lt Col dies

Lieutenant Colonel Milan KC of the Nepali Army lost his life in a landslide while attempting to rescue one of his friends in Sindhupalchok. According to Brigadier General Gaurav KC, spokesperson for the Army, Lt Col KC, who was stationed at the Nepali Military Academy in Kharipati, was visiting the area with friends.

The group was staying at the Sindhu Beach Resort in Sunkoshi Rural Municipality-4 when the landslide struck. Lt Col KC was reportedly trying to rescue a Korean friend when he got trapped in the debris. The condition of the Korean citizen remains unknown.

25 rescued from Sri Lanka island

A rescue operation successfully evacuated 25 people stranded on Sri Lanka Island in Barahakshetra Municipality-6, following flooding from the Saptakoshi River. The stranded individuals, mainly farmers tending to buffaloes, had been trapped since Friday due to rising water levels that rendered the area inaccessible.

Rescue efforts began on Saturday morning after the water flow in the Koshi River decreased. The stranded individuals were safely evacuated by boat, marking a successful end to the operation.

Over 161 people rescued via air

More than 161 people were successfully rescued by Nepali Army helicopters over the weekend, as swiftly moving flood waters hampered ground rescue operations. In Kavre alone, 83 individuals were evacuated and relocated to safety. Three helicopters were deployed for rescue efforts in the region.

The Army, at the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs, has been conducting air rescues to assist citizens at risk due to recent disasters. Similarly, 13 people were rescued in the Kathmandu Valley, 33 in Sindhuli, and 32 in Makwanpur.

All-party meeting prioritizes rescue efforts

An all-party meeting held on Sunday at the Prime Minister’s Office in Singhadurbar concluded with a commitment to prioritize search and rescue operations for victims of recent floods and landslides. The meeting emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among political parties, all levels of government, and the private sector in rescue, relief, and rehabilitation initiatives.

Government Spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung announced that the meeting called upon the private sector, citizens, and organizations to contribute to the Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund. The decision was made to facilitate the safe evacuation of stranded travelers affected by the disasters, with collaboration from the District Disaster Management Committee, the District Transport Association, and security personnel.

Additionally, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply will work with the private sector to ensure the provision of essential goods, including food, vegetables, fruits, and gas, at affordable prices. The meeting also agreed to assess the damage to infrastructure and the agricultural sector caused by the floods, including bridges, roads, schools, health posts, and electrical structures, to initiate necessary reconstruction efforts.

Leaders from various parties stressed the importance of continuing relief efforts in the aftermath of the disaster. Furthermore, the Ministry of Urban Development, in collaboration with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, will work on housing solutions for victims who lost their homes due to the floods and landslides.

On Monday, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their respective visits to New York for the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“The India-Nepal friendship is very robust, and we look forward to adding even more momentum to our ties. Our talks focused on issues such as energy, technology, and trade,” Modi said while sharing pictures with Oli on his X account.

Prime Minister Oli also met with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, at Kuwait’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Both leaders discussed matters of mutual interest and explored ways to further strengthen ties between Nepal and Kuwait.

On Sunday, PM Oli delivered a compelling address at the “Summit of the Future” session at the UN headquarters in New York. Representing the Group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), he highlighted the pressing global challenges facing LDCs, with a focus on poverty, industrialization, and climate justice.

In his speech, PM Oli emphasized the urgent need for industrialization and increased production to combat poverty, a shared challenge for LDCs. He noted that while these countries contribute minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, they bear the brunt of climate change’s devastating impacts. He called on developed nations to increase their investment in climate financing, underscoring the need for global solidarity.

“Millions of children in LDCs go hungry every day, deprived of their basic rights to food and education,” PM Oli said, stressing that poverty is a significant barrier to a sustainable future for the world’s most vulnerable. He urged for concerted international efforts toward poverty alleviation and highlighted the moral imperative for wealthier nations to address growing inequality.

PM Oli also expressed concern over unmet commitments to Official Development Assistance (ODA), delayed international support, and rising debt distress in LDCs. He raised the issue of the digital divide, which continues to widen the gap between rich and poor countries, and criticized the global financial and trading systems for being fundamentally unfair to LDCs.

Despite these challenges, PM Oli spoke optimistically about the future, welcoming the adoption of the “Pact for the Future” as a blueprint for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. He called for a renewed commitment to multilateralism and stronger global governance structures that include LDCs in decision-making processes.

The Prime Minister concluded by urging global leaders to invest in productive capacities, sustainable development, and rural upliftment, advocating for meaningful partnerships to ensure equitable progress for all nations.

In addition to his discussions with Prime Minister Modi, Prime Minister Oli held a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday. During their conversation, Guterres expressed gratitude for Nepal’s vital contributions to UN peacekeeping operations. Nepal has long been recognized as a steadfast contributor of troops and police to UN missions, reflecting the country’s commitment to maintaining international peace and security.

The two leaders discussed several critical issues, including Nepal’s leadership role as Chair of the Global Coordination Bureau for Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Guterres highlighted the necessity of addressing climate change, particularly concerning mountain regions, which are especially vulnerable to environmental changes. The conversation also emphasized the importance of advancing Nepal’s transitional justice process, an issue of significant national importance.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Oli described the meeting as productive, focusing on essential topics such as transitional justice and climate justice. He expressed optimism about strengthening partnerships for a better future, highlighting Nepal’s commitment to social justice and sustainable development.

According to the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN, the discussions covered various aspects of Nepal-UN cooperation. Guterres commended Nepal for its unwavering dedication to the principles outlined in the UN Charter. He reiterated that addressing climate change is a top priority for the UN, particularly the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assist vulnerable mountain countries like Nepal. The Secretary-General emphasized that adequate climate finance is essential for developing countries, including LDCs, to effectively engage in both mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Prime Minister Oli informed Guterres about the recent enactment of Nepal’s transitional justice law, which adopts a victim-centric approach and aligns with guidance from the Supreme Court and international norms. He assured the Secretary-General of the government’s commitment to implementing this law smoothly to resolve transitional justice issues once and for all.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister highlighted the devastating impacts of climate change on Nepal, specifically mentioning the permafrost issues in Thame, Solukhumbu, that have arisen due to global warming. He stressed the urgency of addressing these challenges and indicated that Nepal would be convening the Sagarmatha Sambad—a dialogue platform focused on the mountain ecosystem—inviting Guterres to participate.

Oli also articulated Nepal’s ambition to graduate from the LDC category by 2026 and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. He urged Guterres to advocate for enhanced development assistance from the international community to support this goal.

During their meeting, Prime Minister Oli reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to maintaining international peace and security, as the country is the largest Troops and Police Contributing Country (TPCC) to UN peace missions. He appealed to Guterres for the appointment of high-level positions for Nepal both at the UN headquarters and in the field.

Guterres expressed deep concern over the accelerated melting of glaciers and the resultant damage, assuring Prime Minister Oli of his commitment to enhancing resources within the Loss and Damage Fund to support affected countries.

Prime Minister Oli was accompanied by several high-ranking officials, including Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba, Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations Lok Bahadur Thapa, and Joint-Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai.

In addition to his meetings, Prime Minister Oli addressed the “Parliamentary Forum on Financing the Future: Aligning Finance with the Promise of the Paris Agreement” as the keynote speaker. In his address, he stressed the critical importance of phasing out fossil fuels to prevent catastrophic climatic disasters that are becoming more frequent and severe. He urged for increased investment in green and renewable energy technologies, advocating for a just transition to renewable energy and better access to climate funds for vulnerable countries.

Meanwhile, the United Nations High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States, Undersecretary-General Rabab Fatima, also paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Oli. During their discussion, they exchanged views on the Nepal-UN partnership, the ongoing efforts to help Nepal graduate from the LDC category, and preparations for the upcoming Third International Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3).

Prime Minister Oli arrived in New York on Friday on a 10-day visit, marking his first foreign engagement since his reappointment as Prime Minister on July 15.

Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak has ordered the immediate implementation of the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee’s report regarding the misappropriation of funds in cooperatives. On Sunday, Minister Lekhak instructed Inspector General of Nepal Police, Basant Bahadur Kunwar, to take action based on the report, which was recently sent to the relevant ministry for enforcement.

In a related development, former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Chabilal Joshi has been arrested in connection with the cooperative fraud case. According to sources at the police headquarters, Joshi was apprehended in Kathmandu shortly after the minister’s directive.

Joshi, identified as a former director of Gorkha Media Network Pvt Ltd, was named in the report of the inquiry committee led by Surya Thapa, which recommended action against four individuals, including Joshi. The Parliamentary Special Committee to Investigate Cooperative Funds has pinpointed Joshi as a central figure in the fraudulent activities, alleging that he played a significant role in withdrawing funds from various cooperatives under the guise of loans.

The inquiry report reveals that Gorkha Media Network was established with half of its investment from GB Rai and Joshi. Following previous business partnerships, Joshi reportedly reduced his 15 percent share, transferring it to Rabi Lamichhane. He is accused of securing loans amounting to Rs 25m from the Supreme Cooperative of Butwal and Rs 10.86m from Sano Paila Cooperative in Birgunj to fund his investment in Gorkha Media. Subsequently, Joshi is said to have distanced himself from Gorkha Media due to disagreements.

The inquiry committee has recommended prosecuting Rai, Kumar Ramtel, Lamichhane and Joshi in accordance with existing laws.

Ramtel, who was a business partner of Rai in various ventures, was involved with cooperatives such as Suryadarshan in Pokhara and Sano Paila in Birgunj. He later served as a director of Gorkha Media Network.

During his statement to the committee, he claimed that an artificial loan was taken in his name to cover a loan for Lamichhane. After Lamichhane departed from Galaxy, the loans under his name in the cooperatives were transferred to other cooperative owners.

Joshi made a statement similar to Ramtel’s, asserting that he did not pay the amount when he purchased the shares and did not receive any funds upon selling them. He also revealed that when he went to Nepal Bank to secure a loan for Galaxy Television, Rai told him, “I have already managed it from elsewhere.”

Former Home Minister Lamichhane reiterated his claim during the committee meeting, stating that he was not involved in taking loans from the cooperatives.