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Is turning the 1.5°C target from the Paris Climate Accord into reality still possible? The answer seems to be a resounding no. Despite strides in renewable energy, global temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions persist in shattering records.

The most recent Emissions Gap Report by the UN Environment Program (UNEFP) paints a stark picture, highlighting the urgent need for global low-carbon transformations. To achieve a 28 percent reduction in predicted 2030 greenhouse gas emissions for a 2°C pathway and a 42 percent reduction for a 1.5°C pathway, substantial action is required. Shockingly, global greenhouse gas emissions hit a new high of 57.4 Gigatonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent, marking a 1.2 percent increase from 2021 to 2022.

A damning report from UN Climate Change emphasizes that current national climate action plans fall short of restraining global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, a crucial goal of the Paris Agreement. The report underscores the necessity of slashing greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent by 2030, compared to 2019 levels, to avert the worst impacts of climate change.

It's evident that major countries aren't doing enough to cut the emissions. The UN report says: “Countries with greater capacity and responsibility for emissions—particularly high-income and high-emitting countries among the G20—will need to take more ambitious and rapid action and provide financial and technical support to developing nations.” 

On November 30, governments worldwide will convene in Dubai for COP28, the 28th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This critical summit aims to address the disproportionate impact of climate change on low- and middle-income countries, predominantly from the Global South.

Despite the 2010 pledge to provide $100bn annually to the least developed countries through the Global Climate Fund, the targets are unmet, with figures indicating less than 10 percent fulfilled. The broken promise of climate finance will be one of the major agenda in COP28. 

The conference is poised to conclude the inaugural Global Stocktake, assessing progress toward the Paris Agreement's goals, including limiting warming to 1.5°C or above pre-industrial levels, enhancing adaptations to climate change, and increasing climate finance flows to developing. 

A significant focus of COP28 is the transfer of technology and knowledge. Low-income countries, including Nepal, advocate for a post-2023 roadmap, aligning with the 1.5 °C target. To this end, the UN Secretary-General plans a pivotal event in 2025, where countries can present Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)  in line with the 1.5°C target.

Following COP27's agreement to establish a fund compensating vulnerable countries for climate-induced loss and damage, COP28 faces the challenge of defining and operationalizing this crucial fund. 

Compensation for climate change-induced loss and damage is a right, not a request for assistance, says Rupak Sapkota, foreign affairs advisor to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. 

“The prime minister will prominently draw the attention of the international community about this issue both at the main session as well as in other sideline events.”

There has been an agreement regarding the operationalization of Loss and Damage Fund and a framework in this regard was finalized on Nov 4 this year. But concerns persist over the World Bank's role as an interim host, prompting reservations from developing countries.

As the global community grapples with loss and damage, Nepal remains a vocal advocate, emphasizing the devastating impact of climate-induced disasters on its population. The COP28 agenda includes a final decision on the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund.

A briefing prepared by LDCs states: “Ensuring support to address loss and damage remains a critical issue of LDC, which is already suffering from the adverse impacts of climate change. This includes the cost (both economic and non-economic) resulting from devastating cyclones in Malawi, sea-level rise in Kiribati and Tuvalu, glacial lake outbursts in Nepal and Bhutan. The COP28 is expected to take a final call on operationalization of loss and damage funds.”

Nepal's 2021 national framework on climate change underscores the urgency, revealing that climate-induced disasters contribute to 65 percent of annual disaster-related deaths. With the average annual economic loss at 0.08 percent of GDP, and extreme events like the 2017 Tarai floods, causing a 2.08 percent loss. Besides, multiple other studies have predicted an increase in loss and damage caused by climate-induced disasters in the future. So the need for urgent action is undeniable.

Nepal is taking center stage in international forums, specifically highlighting the plight of mountainous regions. Prime Minister Dahal’s invitation to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to witness the impact of climate change in Nepal's Himalayas speaks volumes. Guterres is likely to raise the issue of mountains in COP28. 

To highlight the plight of the mountains In COP28, Nepal plans high-level events on the sidelines of the conference to champion the causes of mountainous countries. On Dec 2, Nepal is set to organize the event titled Call of Mountain: Who saves us from the climate crisis. 

Sapkota says Nepal is projecting itself as a champion of agendas of mountainous countries. 

“Though Nepal has been raising the issue of mountains for a long time, the international community has not paid much heed. This time the prime minister is trying to raise this issue in clear and unequivocal terms.” 

Here is a list of the main negotiating groups at the COP:

G77 (and China) 

This group of 77 countries was founded in 1964 and has since grown to 134 countries, often aligned with China.

It is the largest negotiating bloc and functions throughout the UN system, beyond the UNFCCC.

Its party chair rotates annually, with Cuba currently at the helm for the first time.

Least Developed Countries (LDCs) 

The LCD group consists of 46 countries and brings together—as its name suggests—the world’s poorest nations. It is currently chaired by Nepal.

The topics at stake in the COP negotiations sometimes result in the LDC taking a different viewpoint from the G77.

Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF)

CVF brings together 58 countries with a combined population of 1.5bn people that are highly vulnerable to the impacts of global warming.

Founded in 2009, it is currently chaired by Ghana.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

SIDS is a coalition founded in 1990 of 40 low-lying islands or archipelagos threatened by rising sea levels. It is chaired by Samoa.

Despite its small size, it is widely recognised for its vocal role in the climate talks.

European Union (EU)

The EU bloc groups the 27 member states to agree on one common negotiating position.

The presidency of the European Council is held by Spain until the end of the year.

Umbrella Group

This group formed following the 1997 adoption of the Kyoto Protocol and is made up of a number of developed nations: Australia, Britain, Canada, the United States, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Norway and Ukraine.

It is generally opposed to the G77 or the LCDs.

BASIC

The BASIC bloc groups four large newly industrialized nations: Brazil, South Africa, India and China.

It came together in 2009 during COP15 in Copenhagen. 

Independent Alliance of Latin America and the Caribbean (AILAC)

AILAC was established as a formal negotiating group in 2012 and represents a coordinated position for the countries of the North and South, including Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala (its current chair), Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Chile. 

This list is prepared by AFP

Competition is rife in today’s world that is struggling to overcome the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and several other adversities like international tensions.   

Millions of people are struggling for well-paid jobs in a knowledge-based society and want high living standards. Of course, a good education is a prerequisite for getting a good job, but it is hardly enough. Factors like technical-practical skills, knowledge and relevant experience also matter a lot when it comes to landing a job, plum or not.

Today’s job market requires that an ideal candidate has adequate skills, training, relevant experiences and a sound academic background, among other factors.   

Even if a candidate in question has an excellent academic background, s/he often has to be content with a junior position in the absence of relevant skills/expertise and experience.   

Technical skills should be given top priority while hiring for technical jobs, whereas knowledge of diverse areas (general knowledge) should be a major criterion for candidates wishing to join public service. 

By conducting an interview, interest, aptitude and creativity of a candidate wishing to land a job can be assessed along with academic qualification. By the way, non-academic life skills like driving also enhance the prospects of job-seekers.

While selecting a candidate, appropriate standard/principle/medium should be employed with an eye also on criteria like academic qualification, accountability, personality, punctuality, honesty, a pragmatic bent of mind as well as technical skills. 

An academic degree is the result  of one’s hard-work and  patience. But an education system should not dissociate itself from practical aspects of life. Degrees without practical experiences cannot be  useful enough in today’s job market that requires diverse skills and expertise.  

Individuals with high degrees lacking skills to complete a simple task do not bode well for an education system. 

A job market requires candidates who are smart, capable,  educated, experienced, focused and laborious.

While education gives an individual theoretical knowledge and analytical skills to show why something does not work, experience teaches that ‘doing  a thing in a certain way does not work’. 

No doubt a medical student can be a better doctor and management student a better manager because universities design courses catering to the needs of respective sectors. Generally, an academically qualified person can obtain related practical skills better and  earlier in a relevant field of  work. Hence, academic degree, internship, dissertations based on field survey and positive  thinking with a well working  attitude  should be the job.

Traditionally, obtaining an academic degree has been our main priority, while recent years have seen a shift in priority toward acquiring skills and expertise. 

An ideal candidate should have skills and expertise along with an excellent academic background. Different philosophers have offered their nuggets of wisdom on theoretical and practical knowledge. There’s no doubt that candidates need different skill sets to stay relevant in today’s job market.
Big multinationals like Google, Facebook and Amazon, for example, are hiring  people with adequate  skills rather than academic degrees. This is because there is no guarantee that those holding academic degrees will be able to solve problems facing the real world.

The country’s education sector should be  overhauled with a greater emphasis on vocational education. Our university education must accord top priority to fields like agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural technology with a vision to modernize them as per our needs. Social science programs must be launched at universities after conducting surveys on the country’s human resources requirement.    

Summing up, in the post-Covid era, increased focus should be on honing professional expertise and skills through education and training for effectively fighting adverse impacts resulting from the pandemic.

The author is a former Deputy Executive Director of TEPC under the  Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies

The Nepal Super League’s (NSL) second season has already commenced. The inaugural season of the NSL received acclaim from Nepali football fans, setting a new standard in Nepali sports in terms of investment and entertainment. The aim of the second season is to further elevate standards, focusing on increased fan engagement within stadiums.

Meanwhile, the Indian Super League (ISL) in our neighboring nation has initiated its 10th season. The ISL has propelled Indian football onto the global stage. Despite challenges, the journey of the ISL offers valuable lessons for Nepali football and the NSL. Given the proximity between Nepal and India, there's much to learn from the progress of the Indian ISL.

Indian and Nepali football situation

Comparing the football scenarios in India and Nepal reveals stark differences. India holds the 102nd position in FIFA rankings, while Nepal is placed at 175th. Currently, all South Asian countries rank below the 100th position. This indicates the pressing need for significant development in football across South Asia. In a recent AFC Cup playoff match, Indian club Mohun Bagan secured victory over Nepali side Machhindra, underscoring the considerable improvement required in Nepali football on both global and South Asian platforms.

The Indian football journey has been marked by challenges en route to their present standing. They are yet to reach their team’s zenith. Nepal stands to gain valuable insights from our Indian counterparts. The strategic progression of Indian football should serve as a significant lesson for Nepali football.

History of leagues

Looking at the history of leagues, the ISL started in 2015 under the aegis of the Reliance Group. Presently, the ISL stands as the driving force reshaping Indian football. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) granted Reliance the right to host the franchise-based ISL in 2014. Initially, the ISL functioned as an unofficial tournament within Indian football for five years. The AIFF struggled to establish a unified national league structure between the I-League and ISL. Eventually, the ISL assumed the premier position in Indian football only in the 2019-20 season. Additionally, provisions were made by the AIFF for promotion and relegation between I-League and ISL clubs in Indian football.

Nepal faces a similar situation with two major football leagues. The long-standing A Division league has lacked investment and failed to capture the enthusiasm of Nepali audiences. The NSL has articulated its ambitions clearly, focusing on significant investment in the game. It aims to engage fans and stakeholders alike with riveting football. The NSL is in an unspoken competition to claim the mantle of Nepal’s leading league.

In 2022, NSL encountered a critical juncture when teams from the A Division league challenged the legality of NSL operations. This led to All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) canceling the NSL season for 2022 and subsequently terminating the contract with NSL. This political entanglement raised questions about the NSL’s continuity. Swift action by NSL resulted in a new long-term contract with ANFA, allowing NSL to coexist with the A Division league in Nepal. With a negotiated calendar of just 54 days, the second season of NSL 2023-24 is shaping the football landscape in Nepal.

It’s evident that business leaders in both nations are driving football promotion. NSL needs to assert its ambitions to become Nepal’s premier football league and rally ANFA’s support on this journey.

How league economy works

The ISL and NSL have been strategically designed to capitalize on the burgeoning prospects of football. Significant investments have been poured into these leagues and teams, dedicated to their promotion and development.

Within the ISL framework, each club receives a share from the central league revenue pool, generated through sponsorship and broadcasting deals. The 9th edition of the league raked in approximately 400 crores in revenue. However, this substantial figure is often overshadowed by the expenses incurred by the league and clubs to maintain high footballing standards. Presently, most ISL teams report losses of around InRs 300m per season, culminating in a staggering cumulative loss of over InRs 2bn by the upcoming 23-24 season. The financial situation poses a significant challenge for ISL clubs, many of whom heavily rely on owners for financial sustenance as the league itself is not self-sustaining.

Despite these financial struggles, the ISL has ascended to become the world’s fourth-largest football league. Yet, this achievement is underlined by the extensive investments made by both leagues and clubs to tap into the vast Indian football market. As the league progresses, it holds the potential to elevate the Indian football scene to an international standard in the years to come.

In contrast, NSL teams operate independently in managing and running the tournament. The short two-month window poses a formidable challenge for both teams and leagues. As the second season approaches, clarity on the calendar system and revenue distribution remains uncertain. Teams receive approximately Rs 10m as prize money, while they claim to incur expenses of around Rs 20m for the 23-24 season. This translates to a collective expenditure of nearly Rs 200m for two months of footballing entertainment, illustrating a significant investment from private partners in the football landscape. The league must assure these private partners of potential returns on their investment. Such a substantial financial commitment necessitates the need for assurance to enable long-term decisions in the league. NSL requires adept negotiations with authorities, stakeholders, and the audience to navigate these challenges successfully.

Training and resources

The ISL has been lauded by established players for the improvements in infrastructure and exposure it has provided, facilitating advancements in their football careers. Since its inception in 2014, each ISL season has attracted high-quality foreign players to competing teams. However, beyond star players, the emphasis on cultivating skilled coaches is paramount for sustainable talent development. The focus on talent development programs remains crucial for long-term football progress. Notably, the ISL has consistently contributed to nurturing Indian talents, a pivotal step in transforming the national talent pool. Exposure to foreign coaches and players is instrumental in raising football standards.

Similarly, the NSL has featured international players in its lineups, notably African and European talents in its inaugural season. The NSL successfully scouted talents such as Manish Dangi, Ayush Ghalan, Bishal Sunar, among others. While Nepal possesses numerous local talents in football, platforms like the NSL are crucial for their empowerment. NSL clubs frequently engage Indian and some European coaches as well. Integrating Nepalese talents with foreign play styles is expected to refine gameplay significantly. It is imperative to introduce prominent Asian football talents into the tournament.

Nepal’s development of training facilities and stadiums is also a pressing need. The absence of international-standard training facilities dedicated to sports training is a notable gap. The fact that NSL will exclusively utilize the Kathmandu-based Dashrath Stadium for the entire tournament highlights the inadequacies in stadiums and training facilities across the nation. Substantial resources need to be allocated to establish international-standard gameplay facilities. NSL has the potential to elevate game standards and the tournament in the forthcoming years by implementing enhanced training plans and facilities for players.

Engaging local fanbase and football culture

The aspirations of Nepali sports fans are immense and deeply rooted. They celebrate sporting events like the World Cup as grand festivals, yet their appetite for football primarily leans towards European leagues. However, this doesn’t diminish the fervent support of Nepali football fans for their national scene. Presently, there’s a considerable void in Nepali football, and the Nepal Super League holds immense promise to fill this void. While matching the level of European leagues may not be feasible, there’s substantial potential for growth as the league matures and talents evolve, offering a significant scope for Nepali football.

In the expansive market of India, the ISL has swiftly risen to become the world’s fourth-largest football league within just a decade. With a relatively short history, Indian football is poised for substantial expansion. As the industry matures, Indian football will likely make notable strides on the international stage. The 2022-23 season recorded an average attendance of 12,000 per match, although certain stadiums witnessed meager attendance, with less than 20 percent capacity filled. There remains considerable untapped potential for the growth of Indian football. ISL has invigorated Indian football fans, enabling regular match attendance and fostering a vibrant matchday atmosphere beneficial for both spectators and players.

NSL has begun the journey of promoting teams across Nepal. The official A Division has struggled to engage regional football from various parts of the country. However, NSL lacks in local fan engagement. In the inaugural NSL season, teams failed to establish a close connection with the city names they represented. Limited activation events and engagement activities were observed, failing to attract local support. The integration of a home-and-away format in the second season remains unfulfilled, despite the potential for every city to host matches in football stadiums. Significant investments, around Rs 2m, are required to prepare these grounds for games. 

Perhaps NSL is not ready to commit to such investments, or it might not be commercially viable at this stage. Each city team needs to demonstrate their commitment to playing in their home city, a considerable investment in terms of operations and management. City authorities and local audiences must display interest in hosting these games, which could enhance fan morale and boost local businesses. This presents a substantial opportunity to engage football fans across Nepal’s regions. Engaging with fans and communities at the grassroots level is pivotal in cultivating a robust fan culture.

Sponsorship and media engagement

Securing sponsorships is crucial for the long-term sustainability of these tournaments. Such events necessitate substantial financial investments to ensure the viability of football entertainment. Football commands a massive audience both in stadiums and on TV screens, yet the tournaments must demonstrate financial viability to sustain themselves.

However, in comparison to the more popular cricketing scene, sponsors exhibit reluctance in the football domain. The ISL, after a decade-long partnership with Hero, faces its tenth year without a title sponsor. Teams primarily rely on financial support from parent business groups, major business conglomerates, and celebrities from the world of sports and Bollywood. Betting platforms have also entered ISL through surrogate sponsorships. Cricket holds a strong foothold in India, with sponsors heavily favoring events like the IPL. Yet, as football garners more excitement and attention, it is expected to attract the sponsorship it deserves in due course.

Viacom18, a Reliance subsidiary, secured the media rights for ISL from the 23-24 season in a deal worth over InRs 5.5bn for two years. Although significantly smaller than the massive InRs 40bn annual IPL rights, this deal provides Reliance with control over broadcasting and promotion, allowing them to expand the football empire according to their terms. Viacom’s JioCinemas already possesses experience in live streaming major events like the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and the TATA IPL. This presents an opportunity for Indian football fans to experience world-class streaming for ISL matches.

In Nepal, leading corporate entities have heavily invested in teams and the league, aiming to showcase their brands to the vast football fan base across the country. However, the withdrawal of title sponsor Khukuri for this NSL season has created a significant void in attracting sponsor interest. The sponsors’ focus has shifted to the success of Nepali cricket. NSL seeks long-term partners committed to developing the foundational aspects of football in Nepal, transcending the culture of celebrating only success to securing partners supporting the core development of Nepalese football.

Sponsorship opportunities heavily rely on extensive media reach. However, Nepal has limited options for media rights. Himalaya TV will serve as the official broadcaster for the current NSL season, following AP1 HD television’s role in the inaugural edition. Established media houses in Nepal typically pay limited attention to the sports industry. 

MDAC Sports secured broadcasting rights for the Martyr’s Memorial Leagues, aired on Space 4K Television and its online platforms. Kantipur HD and Action Sports are other prominent names in Nepali sports broadcasting. However, our broadcasting is still striving to meet international standards, an aspect that will likely evolve with the emergence of tournaments like NSL, catering to market demands.

Live broadcasting in Nepal presents its fair share of challenges, demanding real-time action-packed telecasting and sophisticated production. As tournaments like NSL gain traction, the production and broadcasting scene is expected to evolve to meet market demands, despite the current disparities from international standards.

Football boasts a passionate fan base in Nepal, making it an attractive sport for sponsors. As NSL gains traction and local-level activation events draw audiences and sponsors, participation from local fans will further pique sponsor interest. NSL is anticipated to solidify into a compelling football franchise in Nepal, attracting increased private and foreign investments into Nepali football and other sports. For NSL, teams, and partners, a serious initial commitment to invest and develop the Nepali football scene during the initial challenging years will be imperative.

Extend global partnerships

The ISL has forged a strategic partnership with the Premier League, receiving crucial support for the development of the Indian League and its clubs. European clubs have also made a notable impact in Indian football, exemplified by the City Football Group’s investment in Mumbai City FC—a significant milestone in Indian football. This substantial global interest signifies Indian football’s potential to garner worldwide attention and potentially evolve into a profitable enterprise at the scale of the IPL as it continues to mature.

The influence of international support has been instrumental in propelling ISL and Indian football to attain this level of global competitiveness. For Nepal’s football development journey, exploring international partnerships is crucial. Collaborations with Indian clubs, players, and leagues present a starting point. The ongoing NSL season features multiple Indian and foreign players and coaches engaged with clubs. Similar to the ISL and Premier League partnerships, establishing long-term strategic collaborations will be pivotal for the NSL’s and Nepali football community’s development.

In a historic moment marking the 132-year history of the Durand Cup, the oldest existing football tournament in Asia, the competition included three foreign South Asian teams invited from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. Tribhuvan Army proudly represented the national flag in this prestigious tournament. Additionally, the recently concluded Birat Gold Cup saw participation from international teams from India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. Gold Cup events across Nepal and India regularly invite teams, fostering interactions and sports collaborations crucial for the growth of the footballing community.

Expanding partnerships to both professional and grassroots levels is essential to provide local talents with the necessary grooming to shine on the global stage. Such collaborations can enable the nurturing of homegrown talent and enhance the footballing landscape in Nepal, promoting its visibility and competitiveness on an international scale.

Engaging grassroots junior leagues and youth development

Grassroots development serves as the cornerstone for sports evolution, nurturing local talents from an early age. Tournaments like NSL and ISL significantly influence how young talents perceive sports, providing them with platforms to showcase their skills.

ISL deserves credit for fostering a profound love for the game and offering emerging talents a globally competitive stage. The league’s academy system plays a pivotal role in grassroots development. Each ISL club boasts youth academies and developmental programs. Clubs nationwide are fiercely competing to secure young talents. Bengaluru FC, backed by JSW Sports, is renowned for its professional approach, housing the state-of-the-art AIFF and AFC-accredited JSW Sporting Complex and Academy. Similarly, Tata-backed Jamshedpur FC operates the AIFF 4-star accredited Tata Football Academy (TFA) and forged a partnership with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid in 2018, focusing on youth and grassroots development, highlighting clubs' vested interests in nurturing talent at the grassroots level.

Reliance Foundation, the owners of ISL, through their engagement in Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL), host India's largest and most inclusive U21 youth football tournament, signifying their commitment to fostering the entire football ecosystem in India. These initiatives provide exposure to young Indian talents. The Next Gen Cup, a collaboration between the Premier League, Indian Super League, and South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, serves as a gateway for young Indian footballers to compete against overseas academy teams, offering invaluable experiences that challenge their skills against top-notch opposition. This international collaboration facilitates talent development and fortifies the future of Indian football.

From an economic standpoint, investing in academies to develop players is more sustainable than purchasing ready-made players. National leagues eventually rely on homegrown talent to bolster sports growth.

Nepal witnessed the ninth edition of the Coca-Cola Cup Inter School National Football Tournament in 2017, a significant national-level grassroots footballing event engaging the school-level football scene. However, there’s a scarcity of similar national-level grassroots activities to engage football talents.

While the first season of NSL provided a platform for young talents like Ghalan and Dangi to shine nationally, NSL is yet to materialize its intentions regarding grassroots development. Despite its proclaimed grassroots motives, neither the clubs nor the league have taken tangible actions. The league and clubs’ credibility remains in question, especially with the breaching of the previous agreement with ANFA, which cited the lack of grassroots initiatives by NSL. Active grassroots involvement by NSL and clubs is pivotal in garnering mass audience support.

The absence of significant grassroots efforts remains a noticeable gap. NSL and clubs must actively engage in grassroots development to establish themselves as a credible entity in the Nepali football scene. Thus far, NSL and clubs have primarily functioned as entertainment platforms without a significant focus on uplifting Nepal’s footballing landscape. Without robust grassroots development, both NSL and Nepal’s footballing growth remain stagnant.

Journey ahead

Renowned Indian footballer Jhingan highlighted the gradual pathway for Indian football to reach the World Cup stage, emphasizing that there are no shortcuts, only a challenging yet achievable journey. The AIFF has outlined a detailed action plan, ‘Indian Football 2040’, which sets ambitious goals to propel Indian football onto the global stage. With the government’s concerted efforts through initiatives like the Fit India movement and Khelo India program, India has laid a solid foundation to elevate its position in the world of sports.

Drawing parallels to the widespread support garnered by the IPL across India, Nepal, and globally, there exists ample potential for football promotion. Nepal stands to learn significant lessons from India’s sporting landscape, with aspirations to emerge as a formidable force on the global stage someday. However, realistic advancement won’t materialize without substantial changes.

The NSL has firmly established itself within Nepal’s sports discourse. NSL, alongside its teams and partners, possesses robust financial capabilities and holds the potential to create an unprecedented sporting experience for Nepali audiences, potentially dominating the country’s sporting scene. The league and its teams stand at a vantage point to capitalize on the enthusiastic Nepali sporting audience, provided they continue to invest and harness this fervor.

Nepal is to organize a high-level event on the sidelines of 28th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) taking place in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from Nov 30 to Dec 12.

On Dec 2, Nepal will organize the event titled “Call of the mountain: Who saves us from the climate crisis?” This event aims to amplify Nepal’s stance on climate change and mountain while advocating for the mountain agenda within the COP negotiation process. According to sources, the event is a panel discussion, to be chaired by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. The panelists will have representatives from mountainous countries.

Prime Minister Dahal will lead the Nepali delegation and depart for Dubai on Nov 29. He will participate in the high-level segment of the COP28-World Climate Action Summit, scheduled for Dec 1-2. 

In a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stated that the prime minister will deliver a national statement on Dec 2 at COP28. Additionally, he is expected to attend the 52nd Union Day Celebration of the UAE and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony hosted by the UAE.

During the high-level segment, Prime Minister Dahal will also engage in bilateral meetings with heads of state, government leaders and other eminent figures attending the COP, per MoFA.

Prime Minister Dahal’s schedule includes a keynote address at the Nepal-UAE Business Summit, a visit to the Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi and interactions with the Nepali community.

PM Dahal to meet Modi

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is scheduled to meet his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of COP28. 

According to sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two leaders will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and regional issues. Earlier this year, Dahal visited India from May 30 to June 3. Both sides are working to implement agreements reached during Dahal’s visit.

American President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are skipping the conference.