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Nepal government has appointed Milan Raj Tuladhar as its new Ambassador to Russia. Tuladhar assumes his office amid a critical time in history. Russia is waging a war in Ukraine, much to the disapprobation of the democratic countries around the world. Kamal Dev Bhattarai of ApEx talked to Tuladhar about the ongoing war, its implications to the larger world and the bilateral ties between Nepal and Russia.  How do you see the current state of Nepal-Russia relations?  Nepal and Russia share a deep and meaningful relationship since its establishment in 1956. Even during the difficult years of 1990s both in Nepal and Russia, we continued our bilateral engagements. Some of the countries had closed their embassies in Moscow during the period.  Russia has changed as a country since 2001 when the country started seeing a rapid growth in its economy. It, once again, became a superpower in the present multipolar world. So, our relationship with Russia is very important. Both countries place high priority on maintaining good relations. How has the ongoing war impacted bilateral relations?  Well, I have to explain what Russia has to say in this regard. Russia does not call it a war, but it is "a limited military operation". The insurgency in the eastern Ukraine called Donbas has been a well-known reality since 2014. In fact, the predominantly Russian-speaking people there have maintained their apprehension ever since the separation of Ukraine from the Soviet Union in 1991. In recent times, the situation has gotten more complicated for various reasons.  We have always stood for peaceful settlement of all conflicts. One notable point here is that Russia has been advocating for increasing cooperation in Eurasia, which also offers us a good opportunity to augment our cooperation. The ongoing situation in east Europe should not come in the way of the development of our mutual relations. What are your key priorities as a new ambassador to Russia?   Promotion of tourism is one of my key priorities. As per the record of the World Trade Organization, Russia was one of the largest tourism exporting countries before the covid pandemic. Post-pandemic, there is great potential in store for us. After I arrived here in Moscow, I have seen many such interests from the people here. In view of this, we have made available relevant materials in Russian language on our embassy website. I would also like to request hoteliers and other tourism entrepreneurs of Nepal to take some proactive action such as using Russian booking websites like Travel.ru and yandex.ru for providing links to their business and also establishing contacts with agents here.  Recently, there were issues with using booking.com and other sites here. Doing direct marketing with Russia would be highly profitable. We are talking about the market of 60m potential tourists here. I also see a scope for religious relations. Out of 22 republics, four republics have a dominant population of Buddhists. In other places also, there are a large number of Buddhist followers. As Nepal is the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha, there is a great potential of their interest in Nepal.  I recently visited one of the oldest Buddhist temples of the country in Saint Petersburg. I conducted Buddha Puja to consecrate the Buddha statue that I had brought from Patan as a gift to the temple.  I saw great interest from the monks and other large numbers of visitors there. This weekend, I will be visiting another Buddhist dominated area in Buriyati, in the Baikal region of Russia. The Russian Buddhists are also making a Russian temple in Lumbini. With all these activities, I hope that the peaceful path of Buddhism can help further strengthen our relations. [caption id="attachment_31763" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Tuladhar handing over a Buddha statue to the head priest of the Buddhist Temple in Saint Petersburg, Russia on 2 Sept 2022.[/caption] What about cooperation in Trade and Investment? Russia is the biggest exporter of fertilizer, wheat and many other products in the world. It has been organizing distribution of 300,000 tons of fertilizer to Africa for free as international trade with Russia has been restricted as a result of sanctions. I see that direct trade with Russia can meet some of Nepal’s dire needs.  Similarly, there is also a great demand for Nepali tea, coffee, handicrafts, etc. There has to be an initiative from our side to find a long term-solution to our acute fertilizer shortage. I hope that there will be an increase in trade in the coming days. It is reported that Russia is unhappy with Nepal’s position in the Russia-Ukraine war. Do you sense that?  Nepal is a non-aligned country. We have committed to non-alignment, Panchasheel and adherence to the UN charter by enshrining their principles in our constitution. It is true that our position in February 2022 in respect to the Ukraine conflict did not go down very well here. Despite that, our long-standing ties with Russia need to be further developed for our own benefit.  What is the current status of Nepali students and workers in Russia?  There is a large number of Nepalis living in Russia. It all began with thousands of Nepali students coming here during the 1960s and 1970s for their studies. There are almost a dozen former ministers in Nepal who were ex-students of the Soviet Union. You will find hundreds of good doctors and engineers who were educated in the Soviet Union and later in Russia. Some of the Nepali people have settled in Russia. Because of a large number of Nepali diaspora, the Non-resident Nepali (NRN) movement started from Russia and it has become a worldwide organization now. Similarly, the high quality educational institutions in Russia are attracting more and more of Nepali students here. All interested students are requested to directly contact the institutions through emails if they wish to study here. The Russian Cultural Centre in Kathmandu can also help them. Here, I feel it is also important to talk about the recent phenomenon of distortions and extortions by some manpower agencies. They have been wrongly advising the Nepali youths that Russia can be a conduit to enter into other parts of Europe with present conflict as a pretext. This misinformation and exploitation have resulted in many innocent people landing in difficulty here. The rules here are very strict including the border security. Some of such misguided visitors were stranded without money and food here. So, I request the general public to be aware of such unscrupulous agents. We have placed a notice in this regard on our website as well.

Ashraf Shikhaliyev is the ambassador of Azerbaijan to India. He also holds concurrent accreditation to Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka. Shikhaliyev was in Kathmandu last week to attend Nepal Infrastructure Summit 2022. Kamal Dev Bhattarai caught up with him to talk about the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Nepal and possible areas of cooperation between the two countries. How do you evaluate Nepal-Azerbaijan relations?  Relations between the two countries are developing mainly in international and multilateral forums. In the United Nations, we have excellent relations. Nepal is a founding member of the non-alignment movement and Azerbaijan is the current chair of this movement. So, we have excellent cooperation in our delegations and other areas.  On the bilateral front, we have good relations that we need to build on further. We need to expand economic cooperation, for example. Both countries are land-locked and depend on transit countries. That is why for landlocked countries like ours cooperation in the areas of information communication technology is important. In these areas, borders do not matter and we can do cooperation. We can cooperate particularly in the areas of electronic governance. This is an era of digitalization and every country is paying attention to building infrastructure for it. We have made some achievements in Azerbaijan, and we are willing to share them with Nepal if they are interested. What is the current state of trade relationship between the two countries?  The economic collaboration between the two countries is very minimal. This is because of geography. The two countries are land-locked and there is a huge distance separating them. But we have to start with something. The realistic sector where we can collaborate is information and communication technologies, and e-governance. Nepal needs investment to develop its infrastructure, are there any prospects of cooperation from Azerbaijan?  As I said, we can begin with cooperation in the area of information technology first. We can then move on to infrastructure development. Azerbaijan has many good companies with vast experience in big infrastructure projects, such as building large international airports. Those companies can come to Nepal for the development of infrastructure. Development of infrastructure is important for every country and Azerbaijan is keen to contribute to the development of infrastructure in Nepal. Could you share with us about the ASAN service of your country that won the United Nations award?  State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations known as ASAN is a brand name in Azerbaijan, which we are extremely proud of. This is implemented under the president of our country. The basic concept of this project is to make the life of people easier in service delivery. ASAN service was created in 2012 and three years later, it won the United the best service award from the United Nations. The project was picked from among 800 nominees from all over the world. It has been lauded for its transparency, making service convenient to all, and for its role in combating corruption. People are fully satisfied with the service. The project united our 10 ministries as well as some private companies to provide services under the umbrella of ASAN. Every service it offers is transparent and quick. There are volunteers who check the quality of service and they assist the people. For example, if you need to renew your license, the process does not take more than 10 minutes. Acquiring a passport, getting a visa or any other services are also equally swift and easy. Can Azerbaijan assist Nepal to launch such a project? We are ready to share our experiences with Nepal to create a similar project in Nepal. In 2019, the ASAN delegation visited Nepal and made their presentations. In 2020, we shared a draft of a Memorandum of Understanding proposing to work together in this area with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But we did not hear anything from the Nepali side. We are always willing to share our experiences and assist Nepal.

As Nepal qualifies for the SAFF Women’s Championship 2022 semi-final [for the fifth consecutive time], Anita Basnet proves to be a key element of Nepal’s attacking force. She has come a long way from her debut in 2014 vs Pakistan, to a senior and almost irreplaceable figure in the side. I sat down with the 28-year-old midfielder for a candid conversation. Here’s what she had to say.  Can you describe how it feels to represent Nepal? When I first played for the U-14 national side, I was a child and couldn’t even imagine how [significant] it would feel to wear the national colors. But when I put that jersey on, it felt incredible. I was really emotional on that particular day. What is your favorite position to play on the field? I started playing as a striker and now I enjoy playing in midfield. I often wonder if midfielders enjoy scoring goals more or assisting them. Many of them have the clinical skillset to get on the scoresheet. Basnet certainly does. But not everyone has the selfless mindset to set it up for someone else. So, I had to ask: Do you enjoy scoring or assisting them more? Scoring goals is more important to win games for the team, so scoring is the priority. But if my assists help the team score a goal and contribute to the team, then I’m satisfied. Basnet mentions that she doesn’t have hobbies outside football because that is all she has known since childhood. She likes watching Brazil at the World Cups, while on an individual basis, enjoys the way Paulo Dybala plays.  Basnet and Sabitra Bhandari were the first women from Nepal to play abroad, in India. They played for Sethu FC in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) wearing jersey number 10 and 9 respectively. How was the IWL experience for you? I got to play on an international platform for the first time coming from Nepal. Bala Devi, Ashalata Devi, Ratanbala, Sweety, Grace–I got to play with or against all the senior Indian players, and learnt a lot from them. When we play international matches, we are opponents, but through the IWL, I got to learn their strategies and brought some of those things back to my Nepal teammates. What is your main aim going forward? First, I want to win a gold medal with the Nepal team. We haven’t won a gold medal yet, so that is the aim of my career. Further on, it may be in football or not. I will see when it comes to that. Will the gold medal be in this SAFF Women’s Championship edition? We don’t think any team is weaker than us. Every team we face is tough, but we expect a gold medal this time. We have worked hard, so let’s see how it goes. There were 2,000+ people in the stands for the opening match, did you feel their energy? Obviously, it’s a good feeling to play in front of your home crowd. The number was smaller than we expected, but we were happy to see at least 2,000+ turn up for the game. The last edition of SAFF, the final, had a sell-out crowd. Can we repeat that? We have always had a huge crowd wherever we play. We had a great crowd in Biratnagar for SAFF 2019 and Pokhara for the South Asian Games 2019 (both finals had India as opponents and a 10,000+ crowd). We expect a very good crowd at Dasharath Stadium as it is one of our few international stadiums. We are keen to see more love from the audience in this tournament. Everyone in Nepal seems to love football. Has that love been inculcated in you from a young age? We don’t have a strong grassroots system, and we don’t play in many domestic matches, but our age groups still have gifted players. Many young players love and strive to play for their country. The number is huge. It’s an easy sport to understand and pick up, maybe because they think it’s only about scoring goals. Everyone finds it fun to experience scoring goals, so it’s appealing.  You are so soft-spoken in person, is that your nature? I’m naturally like this. On the field, I try to stay normal but a little aggressive side automatically comes out. Who is your inspiration? My family is, first and foremost, my biggest inspiration. Without the help of my family, I could not be where I am now. They deserve all the credit. Nobody in my family is involved in football or any other sport, but because I was interested in it, they encouraged me to play outdoors from a young age. Tehrathum, in northeastern Nepal, where I come from, doesn’t even have a district football association. Coming from such a remote place, they are very proud of me. I was known by my father’s name before, but now they all know me as a player. It makes me very proud. I’m very grateful for the support of my family. A message to Nepal to come and support the team at Dasharath Stadium?  You have always had our backs. We are here only because you support us on the pitch. You have supported us passionately in the past, but we still need you here more than ever. So, I’d like you to come and support us for it would mean a lot and give us an extra boost of strength. Basnet’s message was pretty clear. The players feed off the crowd’s energy. The tickets start at Rs 300 and I hope Kathmandu locals head to Dasharath Stadium to support this group of talented and inspiring individuals. Nepal has made it to the semi-final, and she has played every minute so far. The aim ahead? Gold.   Special mention to Manila Kafle and Sandesh Sidgel for assisting with the translation Twitter: @radhalathgupta

Preparations are underway to finalize the key agenda that Nepal flags in COP27. Government is holding consultations with key stakeholders to finalize those agendas. In this context, The Annapurna Express talked Madhav Karki, Climate Change and Environment advisor to the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on the government’s climate priority.  What role do you play as an advisor to the prime minister on climate change and environment? My main role is to advise the prime minister on the following aspects: a) Effective coordination among agencies working on Environment Protection and Climate Change; b) Assess the effectiveness of the current institutional arrangements to tackle country’s growing environment and climate change problems and challenges; c) Help the Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoFE) to implement Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP) at all tires of government; and d) Help improve the health ecosystem to increase the sustained production of ecosystem goods, services and the capacity of vulnerable communities. What are the priorities of the government regarding the climate change issues for the upcoming COP27?  The main priorities are: a) Secure 50 percent of the committed climate finance for adaptation and push for a decision on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA); b) Reduce the mitigation ambition gap by calling upon developed countries; c) Secure inclusion of the loss and damage and agreement on the operationalization of the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage (SNLD) by receiving commitment for its permanent Secretariat and dedicated funding; d) Secure 50 percent finance for adaptation out of the $100bn annual climate change finance committed by the developed country by 2023; and e) Champion the cause of mountains by promoting mountain agenda at various forums of the COP27 as a part of highlighting the disproportionate impact vulnerable countries are facing due to global climate change.  Besides, Nepal also needs to call for transparency and accountability in stepped-up climate change funding especially to the most vulnerable and least developed countries to support adaptation, capacity building and technology transfer.           What are the major tasks of the government regarding the impact of climate change issues? The government is engaged in completing a number of tasks to implement the Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). As a priority, we are strengthening the institutional mechanism to manage climate change by operationalizing the long pending apex body of Environment Protection and Climate Change Management National Council chaired by the prime minister. Under the MoFE, following tasks are being carried out: a) Remain carbon negative between 2030 to 2045 and from 2045, achieve the target of Net Zero Emission by 2045. It was committed by the incumbent prime minister at COP26; b) By 2045, maintain 45 percent forest of the total area of the country (including other wooded land limited to less than four percent green cover); c) By 2030, manage 50 percent of Tarai and Inner Tarai forests and 25 percent of middle hills and mountain forests sustainably, through REDD+ initiatives; d) Ensure forests under community-based management will comprise at least 60 percent of forest area; e) By 2030, upgrade watershed health and vitality in at least 20 districts to a higher condition category; f) By 2030, all 753 local governments will prepare and implement climate-resilient and gender-responsive adaptation plans. The plans will address climate change, disaster vulnerability and risks as well as prioritize adaptation and disaster risk reduction and management measures focusing on women, persons with disability, children, senior citizens, youth, indigenous people, economically deprived communities and people residing in climate-vulnerable geographical areas; and g) The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) will be updated in every ten years and a national level Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (VRA) exercise will be carried out in every five years to influence and inform climate finance resource allocation decisions. Why does the MoFE only change the climate-related policy?  However, there should be multiple stakeholders linked for cross-cutting issues. When will the government bring such policies? Or are there any specific plans to fight against climate change issues through joint efforts? As the current Climate Change Policy of the government is to mainstream climate change management in all sectoral policies, plans and programs at the all levels of government, following plans have been introduced for a joint, integrated and holistic approach: Under agriculture sector

• By 2030, soil organic matter content of agriculture land will reach to 3.95 percent
• By 2030, the number of organic fertilizer production plants in the country will reach 100
• Integrate climate change in the upcoming revised Agriculture Policy;
• By 2025, update the Rangeland Policy and develop plans for the sustainable management of rangelands
• By 2030, establish 200 climate-smart villages and 500 climate-smart farms.

• By 2025, climate-sensitive diseases surveillance systems will be strengthened through the integration of climate and weather information into existing surveillance systems

• Public Weather Services (PWS), including the Agro-Meteorological Information System, will be strengthened and established
• By 2030, a multi-hazard monitoring and early warning system covering all the provinces will be established
• By 2025, a national strategy and action plan on Loss and Damage (L&D) associated with climate change impacts will be devised

• By 2030, expand clean energy generation from approximately 1,400MW to 15,000MW, of which 5-10 percent will be generated from mini and micro-hydro power, solar, wind and bio-energy. Of this, 5,000 MW is an unconditional target. The remainder is dependent upon the provision of funding by the international community
• By 2030, ensure 15 percent of the total energy demand is supplied from clean energy sources
• By 2030, ensure 25 percent of households use electric stoves as their primary mode of cooking
• By 2025, install 500,000 improved cook stoves, specifically in rural areas
• By 2025, install an additional 200,000 household biogas plants and 500 large scale biogas plants (institutional/industrial/ municipal/community)
• By 2030, increase the reliable supply of clean energy, ensuring access to all
• Increase the quantity (kWh), quality, reliability, and affordability of electricity access from renewable sources
• Strengthen transmission and distribution links to support upscaling of e-cooking, e-heating, e-transport and charging stations

• Adopt national building codes and prepare Integrated Urban Development Plans (IUDPs) emphasizing low carbon and climate-resilient urban settlements in all municipalities
• By 2025, revise the urban environment management guidelines to incorporate activities related to promoting low carbon and climate resilient urban settlements.

• By 2030, create an enabling environment for both public and private sector to treat industrial and municipal waste, including fecal sludge
• By 2030, adopt and implement waste segregation, recycling and waste-to-energy programs in at least 100 municipalities
• By 2030, the burning of healthcare waste in 1,400 healthcare facilities will be prohibited by proper management of healthcare waste through the application of non-burn technologies
• Promote the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) approach to waste management, along with source segregation and management of degradable and non-degradable waste
• Focus on co-production of energy and organic fertilizer from solid waste, wastewater and fecal sludge

• By 2025, formulate and implement nature-based tourism plans in at least five main tourist destinations
• By 2030, ensure at least five tourist destinations are carbon neutral
• By 2030, including measures in policies to offset the carbon footprint of emissions resulting from tourism transport

• Sales of electric vehicles (e-vehicles) in 2025 will be 25 percent of all private passenger vehicles sales, including two-wheelers and 20 percent of all four-wheeler public passenger vehicle sales (this public passenger target does not take into account electric rickshaws and electric-tempos) in 2025. Due to this e-vehicle sales target, fossil fuel energy demand for the transportation sector will decrease from approximately 40m GJ in the Business as Usual (BAU) scenario in 2025 to 36m GJ. This would be around a nine percent decrease in fossil fuel dependency. This target will reduce emissions from a projected BAU of 2,988 Gg CO2eq. in 2030 to 2,619 Gg CO2 eq., which is around 28 percent decrease in emissions
• By 2030, develop 200 km of the electric rail network to support public commuting and mass transportation of goods.