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Honest citizenry refers to a population or community of individuals within a society/nation who uphold and embody the principles of integrity, truthfulness and ethical behavior in their civic and personal lives. Adherence to moral values, respect for the law and a commitment to transparency and accountability in action are some of its characteristics. It signifies a collective dedication to upholding the principle of honesty and integrity in all aspects of public and private life, contributing to the overall moral and fabric and integrity of the society as a whole. 

Nepal, nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, is a nation with a rich cultural heritage, breathtaking natural beauty, natural resources and a diverse population. However, like many other countries, it faces numerous challenges, including political instability, economic disparities and social issues. One crucial aspect that needs immediate attention in Nepal is the need for an honest citizenry. In a society where honesty is a cornerstone of progress and development, fostering a culture of integrity can pave the way for a brighter future.

Honesty is a fundamental virtue that plays a pivotal role in shaping a nation's destiny. It encompasses not only telling the truth but also involves transparency, accountability and ethical behavior. In the context of Nepal, building an honest citizenry is essential for several reasons.

Nepal has been grappling with corruption for several years, hindering progress and development. Corruption has not only siphoned off public funds but also a trust deficit in government institutions. An honest citizenry can serve as a bulwark against corruption by demanding accountability and transparency from elected representatives and government personnel. 

A culture of honesty can stimulate economic growth by creating a conducive environment for businesses and investments. When individuals and businesses can trust that contracts will be honored, property rights protected and transactions conducted fairly, it fosters economic stability and development.

Honesty fosters trust among individuals and communities. In a diverse and multicultural nation like Nepal, trust and mutual respect are essential for social cohesion and harmony. When citizens are honest in their dealings with each other, it helps bridge societal divides and strengthens the social fabric.

A transparent and accountable government is essential for effective governance. Citizens, who demand honesty and integrity from their leaders and government as well as non-government institutions are more likely to hold them accountable for their actions. This, in turn, leads to a better governance, improved public services and a more efficient administration.

While the importance of honesty is undeniable, there are several challenges that Nepal faces in its pursuit of building an honest citizenry. 

Many individuals in Nepal are struggling with poverty and desperation, which can drive them to engage in dishonest activities as a means of survival. Addressing the root causes of poverty and providing economic opportunities is crucial to reduce dishonest behavior.

Nepal’s legal framework lacks teeth when it comes to addressing corruption and dishonesty effectively. There is a need for comprehensive legal reforms to create a strong deterrent against dishonest behavior.

A well-rounded education system that not only imparts academic knowledge but also instills values such as honesty is essential. Many schools in Nepal lack the resources and capacity to provide a holistic education, leaving a gap in character development.

Nepal’s political landscape is often marred by patronage and nepotism. This creates an environment where dishonesty is sometimes rewarded rather than punished. Political reform is crucial to eliminate this aspect of the culture.

To build a more honest citizenry in Nepal, a multi-pronged approach is necessary.

Investing in education and awareness campaigns that promote ethical behavior and values from a young age is essential. This includes not only formal education but also community-based initiatives and awareness programs. Reforming and strengthening Nepal's legal frameworks to make them more effective in combating corruption and dishonesty is crucial. This includes robust enforcement mechanisms and whistleblower protection. Citizens must actively engage in the political processes and hold their elected representatives accountable. Encouraging transparency and scrutinizing the actions of political leaders can help reduce dishonesty in politics. Creating economic opportunities and reducing poverty is vital in reducing the desperation that can lead to dishonest behavior. This involves job creation, vocational training and support for entrepreneurship.

Civil society organizations, including non-government organizations and community groups, can play a significant role in promoting honesty and integrity. They can serve as watchdogs, advocates and educators.

Nepal stands at a crossroads, with the opportunity to build a stronger and more prosperous nation. To achieve this, fostering an honest citizenry is paramount. Honesty is not just a personal virtue; it is a collective responsibility that can transform societies and nations. By addressing the challenges and actively working toward creating a culture of integrity, Nepal can make way for a brighter future where honesty is the norm rather than the exception. With an honest citizenry, Nepal can overcome its obstacles and unlock its true potential as a nation.

Young people can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of an honest and upright citizenry within a nation. Their behaviors, mindsets and ways of living are essential for fostering and attaining the ideals of an honest and responsible populace. It is undeniable that the youth of Nepal are grappling with challenges in foreign lands, courageously shouldering risks in pursuit of their aspirations. Regrettably, they often find themselves unable to realize their dreams within their own homeland, compelling them to invest their efforts, toil and make sacrifices in distant territories.

Development partners and nations globally have extended opportunities for skill development and exposure, yet many of these individuals choose not to return to their motherland. Consequently, they may not actively engage in contributing to the progress of the country, where their skills and knowledge can be instrumental. Unless the youth develop a collective sense of responsibility toward their country’s advancement, the nation cannot make substantial leaps in its development trajectory. Despite this, Nepali citizens residing in the country maintain a profound faith in the potential of the youths to actively participate in national development, hoping for a brighter and more prosperous future.

On Oct 7, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a resolute condemnation of the attack orchestrated by Hamas in Israel. 

“The Government of Nepal vehemently denounces the recent act of terrorism in Israel, which tragically resulted in the loss of precious human lives and left many others injured,” the statement read.

The attack claimed the lives of hundreds of people, including ten Nepali students, and left thousands wounded. Notably, subsequent statements from the ministry omitted the term ‘terrorist’, a move that has captured the attention of foreign policy experts and observers. This marks the first instance of Nepali nationals being casualties of a Hamas assault.

However, the ministry officials emphasize that there has been no shift in Nepal’s established policy regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, which dates back to the 1960s. A senior foreign ministry official clarified, “Nepal’s stated policy remains one of condemning terrorist activities, and it does not support Hamas and its actions.” Experts concur, asserting that Nepal's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict remains unaltered.

Formed in 1987 during the uprising against Israel’s presence in Gaza and the West Bank, Hamas has long been associated with the Muslim Brotherhood. Numerous countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, the European Union, and others, designate Hamas as a terrorist organization due to its history of activities such as suicide bombings, kidnappings, and civilian killings. China, however, does not recognize Hamas as a terrorist group.

Nepal regularly engages in discussions concerning Israel and Palestine at the United Nations, and frequently faces multiple proposals related to the issue. On humanitarian grounds, Nepal extends support to Palestine on certain matters, although it does not formally recognize Hamas, which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007. The extreme position taken by Hamas is spoiling all the peace deal attempts. 

Nepal’s voting positions in the UN have, at times, displeased Israel. Notably, in 2021, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution disavowing Jewish ties to the Temple Mount, designating it solely by its Muslim name, al-Haram al-Sharif. While 64 countries, including India, did not support this resolution, Nepal backed it. This was a departure from Nepal’s previous neutral positions on similar votes in 2018, 2019, and 2020. 

Nepal supports the two-state solution, calling for the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip alongside Israel. However, Hamas rejects this proposal, complicating the matter, while major powers, including the US, China, Russia, and India, stand in favor of a two-state solution. 

During the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed Nepal's unwavering commitment to peace for the Palestinian people, urging an end to the prolonged conflict. Nepal reiterated its support for a two-state solution, envisioning Israel and Palestine coexisting peacefully within internationally recognized borders, aligned with relevant UN resolutions.

Nepal and Israel established diplomatic relations in 1960, with Israel opening its embassy in Kathmandu in March 1961, while Nepal established its embassy in Israel in 1993. Notably, Nepal’s recognition of Israel’s existence and continuous diplomatic relations with the nation set it apart in South Asia until recently.

The Foreign Ministry’s official documents affirm Nepal’s ongoing support for Israel’s right to exist within secure and internationally recognized boundaries. Nepal’s historical involvement in recognizing Israel as an independent state, including visits by prominent leaders, underscores the enduring nature of their diplomatic relations.

 The first democratically elected Prime Minister BP Koirala acknowledged Israel as an independent state at a time when the entire world was yet to do so. Koirala paid an official visit to Israel in 1960, and three years later, the then king, Mahendra Shah, had also paid an official visit to Israel.  

In contrast, Nepal does not maintain diplomatic relations with Palestine, although both nations are members of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Box

What Nepal said on Israel-Palestine situation

2023: The Palestinian people deserve peace ending the prolonged conflict. Nepal reiterates its support for a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine, living peacefully side by side, within recognized international borders based on the relevant UN resolutions.

2022: Protracted violence and conflicts continue to inflict pain and suffering on Palestinian and Israeli civilians. Nepal reiterates its long-standing view for a two-state solution, whereby Palestine and Israel live side by side in peace and security within the recognized international borders.

2021: In the Middle East, we reiterate our long-standing position and want to see peace and security with a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine living side by side within secure and recognized international borders. 

2020: We would like to see peace and stability in the Middle East with a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with secure and recognized international borders based on relevant United Nations resolutions.

2019: We want to see meaningful steps being taken to resolve the protracted Middle East issue. We support a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with secure and recognized international borders based on relevant United Nations resolutions.

2018: With this commitment we must ensure that the voice of the people struggling for their rights, liberty, freedom and justice in various parts of the world, including Syria, Yemen, Palestine, and many other places must be heard and addressed.

Nepal are taking on India in the quarterfinals of the men's cricket tournament in the ongoing 19th Asian Games on Tuesday.

This is the first T20 international Nepal will be playing against cricket giant India.

Earlier last month, Nepal had played against India in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.

In the match, Nepal had lost to India by 10 wickets.

The term ‘Global South’ reverberated through the halls of power during the recent 78th General Assembly, which came to a close just last week. Vibrant voices like those of India and China, who proudly identify themselves as part of this dynamic Global South, championed its cause.

In the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Western world engaged in fervent discourse about the stance taken by Global South nations, many of which chose to remain neutral. Western experts now ponder whether the Global South has emerged as a bona fide “geopolitical continent,” considering the absence of widespread condemnation for Russia’s invasion or support for sanctions.

Stewart Patrick, senior fellow and director of the Global Order and Institutions Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, highlighted this in a striking observation made back in August. He wrote in an article: “When the UN General Assembly voted in February 2022 on a resolution demanding Russia’s immediate withdrawal from Ukraine, the Global South was split, with more than 60 percent siding with Ukraine and approximately a third abstaining. In common usage, the label amalgamates a remarkably heterogeneous group of 130-dd countries representing perhaps two-third of world’s population.”

Ding Long, a distinguished professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, also contributed his perspective in an article published in The Global Times on August 4. Long stated that "the rise of the Global South, as the most prominent transformational trend in the international system after the Ukraine crisis, will promote the constitution of a just and reasonable international order." 

He underscored how the Global South had maintained its diplomatic independence and strategic autonomy during the Ukraine crisis, opting for a middle path to assert itself as a burgeoning force in global politics.

In January of this year, India hosted the Voices of the Global South Summit, a gathering that drew participation from ministers and leaders representing 125 Global South countries. Nepal’s finance minister was among those present. India and China, both towering neighbors, are vying for leadership roles within the Global South, while Brazil, too, is asserting itself as the global leader.

Indian Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar sent a clear message to the world during his address to the 78th UN General Assembly, warning the major powers to prepare for a contest with the Global South.  

“But for all the talk, it is still a few nations who shape the agenda and seek to define the norms. This cannot go on indefinitely. Nor will it go unchallenged. A fair, equitable, and democratic order will surely emerge, once we all put our minds to it. And for a start, that means ensuring that rule-makers do not subjugate rule-takers. After all, rules will work only when they apply equally to all,” he said.

China, too, echoed this sentiment at the UN meeting. China’s Vice President Han Zheng declared, “As the largest developing country, China is a natural member of the Global South, it breathes the same breath with other developing countries and shares the same future with them.”  China, Han promised, “will remain a member of the big family of developing countries.

Similarly, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva proudly proclaimed: “Brazil is reencountering itself, the region, the world and multilateralism. As I never tire of saying, Brazil is back. Our country is back to give our due contribution to face the world’s primary challenges.”

Former Nepali Ambassador to the UN, Jaya Raj Acharya, acknowledged that Nepal's prominent voice in the Global South had dimmed over the past decade, despite Nepal’s continued advocacy for bridging economic disparities between the North and South. In his address to the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal refrained from using the term ‘Global South’.

According to Dinesh Bhattarai, former Nepali ambassador to the UN, the Global South’s growing vocalization stems from an increasing number of countries actively engaging in global issues, such as climate change, with the African Union's participation in the G20 serving as a prime example. “This shift should also be viewed in the context of Asia's rising influence,” he said.

While Nepal's prominence in the Global South discourse has waned, it is still raising critical issues related to cooperation on international platforms. Foreign Minister NP Saud, addressing the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in July, emphasized the need for deeper South-South cooperation and strengthened multilateralism, particularly at the UN. 

“We need to foster international cooperation within NAM, deepen south-south cooperation, and strengthen multilateralism at the UN at its center to resolve global problems,” he said. “As the champion of social justice and economic empowerment, NAM must advocate for inclusive and sustainable global growth, in which the Global South receives a fair share to eradicate poverty and give their people a decent life.” 

In the ever-evolving landscape of international diplomacy, Nepal's role as a passionate advocate for justice and equity among Global South nations continues to evolve and adapt, guided by the principles of national ownership and leadership and a commitment to global peace and stability.

Bhattarai said Global South is more vocal because many countries are aggressively coming out due to the issues such as climate change and African union being a part of G20 is more enthusiastic. 

The United Nations has set up an office for South-South Cooperation whose principal purpose is to enhance South-South and triangular cooperation as a means to accelerate the speed and scale of actions to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGS). 

In 1974, the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution, endorsed the establishment of a special unit within the UNDP to promote technical cooperation among developing countries. Its name was then changed to the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) in 2012.

In 2019, the then foreign minister, Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, addressed the second UN conference on south-south cooperation held in Argentia where he highlighted four important principles of Nepal.

• First, some members in the South, despite having similar development ambitions, are far lagging behind. They need even more understanding, partnership and cooperation. Principle of ‘leaving no one behind’ should be placed at the core.
• Second, our cooperation should have a clear focus on poverty eradication. SDG 1 is the biggest battle we have and perhaps the most cross-cutting, and therefore a sine qua non for making the world a better place to live.
• Third, gender equality, inclusiveness, concrete steps to mitigate the adverse effect of climate change and social justice, among others, should be the guide posts of development perspectives. Women and youths should be assured of better opportunities and more investment must be guaranteed in education and technological innovations.
• Finally, our development experience tells us that all forms of cooperation should respect national ownership and leadership, and focus on country needs and priorities. And global peace and stability is the prerequisite, because the cost of conflicts mainly goes on the shoulders of the Global South.

A recent study has revealed that approximately 20 percent of water sources in Nepal have vanished within the past year. The depletion of these vital resources has been attributed to a blend of climate change and human activities. This crisis not only poses a threat to the environment but is also unleashing a series of economic and social challenges that are affecting the most vulnerable sections of society.

An analysis of studies conducted by International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMO) and few other organizations shows there is a pressing need to immediately implement intervention measures to stop water sources from drying up. 

Madhav Prasad Dhakal, a watershed researcher with the ICIMOD said climate change and human activities share equal blame for the desiccation of our water sources. “Rising temperatures, fueled by climate change, and erratic rainfall patterns have disrupted the hydrological cycle, wreaking havoc on our water supplies,” he added.

While climate change shoulders a significant portion of the blame, experts assert that human activities are equally culpable. “Approximately 20 percent of the water sources that were thriving a decade ago have now vanished, and water flow has dwindled in roughly 50 percent of the sources,” Dhakal said. He further elaborated that during the dry season, from September to December, flow from watersheds and natural springs has plummeted, adversely affecting millions of mountain and hill residents who rely on these sources for their daily water needs.

About 10m people in the mountains and hills depend on natural springs for water. According to Dhakal, a natural spring supports around 20-25 households. There are several instances of people migrating due to drying up of water sources. “There were reports of such migration in Ramechhap, Bhojpur and Dailekh,” said Dhakal. “We are witnessing a shift from prolonged, gentle rainfall that allows water to trickle into groundwater and recharge our aquifers to intense, short bursts of rainfall that prevent proper recharge of our water table.”

Human activities such as mining, along with the protracted effects of low snowfall, have compounded the problem, causing ponds and natural springs to wither away. Likewise, natural springs near hydropower tunnels are also drying up, studies show. There are several instances of natural springs near hydropower tunnels drying up in Rasuwa.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, development projects are beginning to allocate funds for water source rehabilitation. Dhakal stressed, “We don’t need complex scientific methods to revive old ponds; we simply need mechanisms that allow monsoon rains to trickle into the ground for four months.”

A study conducted by Sanot Adhikari and his team revealed that approximately 20-25 percent of water sources in the Karnali and Mid-Karnali Watersheds have dried up. Local residents are experiencing significant hardships due to the depletion of water sources in the Boktan, Lagam Karnali, Jhimruk, Rangun, and Mid-Karnali regions. These areas collectively have a total of 4,222 water sources. The water discharge from 70.7 percent of these sources is decreasing, while 1.57 percent of the watershed area has suffered destruction.

Variations in annual rainfall patterns also exert a significant impact on water resources each year. Unplanned construction of roads, the alteration of traditional lakes and ponds, the erection of walls, and the use of concrete and piping to divert springs have all contributed to the drying up of essential water sources. According to the study, if these trends of resource depletion persist at a rapid pace and if proactive conservation measures are not implemented, local communities may soon confront a severe crisis. The mid-hills region, in particular, could find itself grappling with extreme water scarcity.

Karishma Khadka, a springshed management associate with ICIMOD, highlighted the acute water shortages faced by communities in certain Himalayan catchment areas, particularly during the winter season. “Land use changes, rampant deforestation, hasty development projects, the depletion of traditional resources, and natural disasters have all taken a toll on our watershed,” she added.

As dependence on natural springs for daily water needs remains high, the communities residing in mid-hill and mountain areas bear the brunt of this crisis. A study by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has also indicated that those living in multidimensional poverty are at particularly high risk. Additionally, the Hindu Kush Himalaya region grapples with the dual challenge of excessive rainfall leading to floods and prolonged droughts. 

“Climate change is poised to impact both water availability and the very hydrological cycle that sustains our way of life,” Khadka added.

In a clear indication of an economic slowdown, the country’s imports have declined by 5.06 percent in the first two months of the current fiscal. The country’s total import bill stood at Rs 259.749bn in the first two months of FY 2023/24 compared to Rs 273.599bn during the same period of FY 2022/23. 

Along with imports, Nepal’s exports also decreased 7.7 percent during the review period. The country exported goods worth 26.44bn in the first two months of the current fiscal compared to Rs 28.68bn during the same period of the last fiscal year. 

Despite major festivals such as Dashain and Tihar approaching, the imports in the month of Bhadra (mid-August-mid-September) surged meagerly compared to Shrawan (mid-July-mid-August). The latest foreign trade statistics from the Department of Customs show Nepal’s imports in Bhadra grew 0.98 percent. In previous years, the imports usually used to grow in Bhadra, the main month for importing essential goods for Dashain and Tihar.

Banks have reported fewer letters of credit (LC) issued during this period compared to the corresponding period last year, in an indication that the slowdown has hit the banking sector too. Banks’ staff had to work even during holidays to issue LCs during this period in previous years. Bankers say demand for loans and LCs has not come as expected. 

With imports not growing as expected and domestic economic activities subdued, the government’s revenue has remained dismal during the festive season. The initial two months of FY 2023/24 have seen no significant surge in revenue collection.

In fact, the current fiscal has witnessed a weaker performance in revenue collection compared to the previous fiscal. In the first two months of FY 2023/24, government revenue collection amounted to Rs 141.07bn, slightly lower than the Rs 143.81bn achieved during the same period in FY 2022/23.

The Customs Department's data show imports of major products including industrial products have declined in the current fiscal. The import of petroleum products has declined 15.286 percent in FY 2023/24. The country’s petroleum products' import bill stood at Rs 37.147bn in FY 2023/24 against Rs 43.850bn in FY 2022/23.

The imports of crude edible oils also plunged sharply. The imports of soybean oil dropped massively to Rs 2.96bn this fiscal compared to Rs 9.08bn in the last fiscal. The same is the story of palm oil whose imports plunged to Rs 2.31bn this fiscal compared to Rs 6.61bn.   

The onset of the festive period has failed to boost the imports of smartphones, with imports plunging by 13.18 percent in the first two months of FY 2023/24.

Nepal should step up efforts to join any sub-regional, regional and international organization whose objectives are compatible with her foreign policy objectives and priorities. 

With Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the UAE set to become its new members on Jan 1 next year, BRICS (comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is one such organization that our country should make efforts to be a part of. The bloc aims to promote international peace, stability, cooperation and investment and these objectives are similar to Nepal’s foreign policy objectives. 

So, our country should make attempts to be a member of this grouping.

If our party—the CPN-UML—comes to power, we will intensify our engagements to join sub-regional, regional and international organizations whose vision, missions and objectives are in sync with our foreign policy objectives and priorities. Of course, BRICS is one of the organizations that we will strive to join. 

The author, a CPN-UML standing committee member, is the chief of the party’s foreign affairs department

Lawmaker of Texas State, US, Salman Bhojani, has shown keen interest in promoting tourism in Nepal.

Stating that he developed deep love towards Nepal and Nepali people, he would assist actively for promotion of tourism and Nepali community.

In his first ever visit to Nepal, Bhojani said, "I'm overwhelmed with unbound happiness."

At an interaction before heading to Mt Everest base camp on Saturday, he said, "I've arrived here today all because of the assistance of Nepalis living in the US. My love and good will continues in Nepal."

He is the first Muslim lawmaker with Pakistani origin in Texas State, USA. He is popular among Nepali community there. Bhojani reminded that he had visited Nepali community wearing a dhaka cap and daura suruwal while requesting to vote during the election.

"Nepali community is thriving in Texas, USA. I had communicated in Nepali language during the election campaign," he shared, adding that Nepal is rich in natural beauty and culture, which he believed would contribute to tourism and economic prosperity.

According to him, tourism can be a significant medium to prop up the economy. Nepal houses the Sagarmatha, Pashupatinath, Lumbini and other historic places. They are related to Nepal's prestige and glory.

Bhojani's life struggle and success is inspiring for others. The person who worked at a gas station in 2003 is now a Texas lawmaker and an attorney. He continued his study despite struggle.

He vowed to continue visiting Nepal along with family for the promotion of tourism and assisting for sustainable peace and development.

In Texas, he is very familiar with Nepali community. He played a role in observing Nepal Day in his State. Similarly, his leading role to recognize Nepalis' festivals as Dashain, Tihar and Teej for public holidays in Texas is equally unforgettable. Moreover, he is actively involved in solving problems such as citizenship and employment for Nepalis.

Bhojani is a successful business icon as well.

The world’s attention will turn to New York this week as the 78th UN General Assembly takes center stage. Yet, it's notable that several prominent world leaders have chosen to bypass this crucial gathering, citing their busy schedules.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and French President Emmanuel Macron are conspicuously absent from the inaugural session of UNGA. Experts say this glaring absence of key leaders, responsible for addressing pressing global issues such as climate change, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, food crises, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underscores the waning influence of the UN as a multilateral platform.

However, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres maintains a resolute focus on action rather than attendance. He emphasizes that what truly matters is what gets accomplished, especially in revitalizing the lagging SDGs. This year, alongside the customary speeches by heads of state and government, there are five high-level summits slated to tackle the burning issues plaguing our world.

According to the UN, the Climate Action Summit, set for Sept 23, aims to amplify ambitions and hold countries accountable to their international commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement, particularly in reducing global warming. The summit's key priorities include a global shift to renewable energy, development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure and cities, promoting sustainable agriculture, responsible forest and ocean management, resilience and adaptation to climate impacts, and aligning public and private finance with a net-zero economy.

On the same day, the UN will host the first high-level meeting on universal health coverage, aptly tagged “Moving together to Build a Healthier World”. This meeting is touted as the most significant political gathering ever held on this crucial subject. With over half of the world’s population lacking access to essential health services, and nearly 100m people pushed into extreme poverty due to health costs annually, this event is a pivotal opportunity to secure political commitment from global leaders to prioritize and invest in universal health coverage for all. All nations have pledged to work toward achieving universal health coverage by 2030, encompassing financial risk protection, high-quality healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines.

On Sept 24 and 25, the SDG summit will take center stage, marking the first such event since the adoption of the SDG agenda in 2015. Despite some progress toward achieving the 17 sustainable development goals, challenges like climate change and financing gaps have hindered overall progress. Small Island Developing States, least developed countries, and landlocked developing countries are falling behind on their SDG targets. To bridge this gap, significant investments, primarily in developing countries, will be a focal point of this year's discussions. The UN estimates that annual investments ranging from $5trn to $7trn across all sectors are needed to realize the SDGs.

From Nepal, a high-powered delegation led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, accompanied by Foreign Minister NP Saud and Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal, is attending the 78th UNGA. Prime Minister Dahal’s primary objective for this visit is to garner international support to conclude Nepal's long-drawn-out transitional justice process. Before embarking on his journey to New York, Dahal made efforts to advance a bill related to transitional justice that had been languishing in the Legislation Committee of Parliament. Although the specifics of international support are not fully disclosed, it's evident that Dahal seeks some flexibility in the bill to allow for amnesty in addressing human rights issues.

Dahal has held talks with the UN Secretary-General Guterres, covering a broad spectrum of issues. These discussions touched on pressing global concerns, from climate change to sustainable development goals, and emphasized various aspects of Nepal-UN cooperation, including peace efforts. Guterres expressed gratitude to Nepal for its active engagement with the United Nations, especially its substantial contribution to peacekeeping. The two leaders also delved into shared concerns related to climate change, challenges faced by Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and the crucial role of the government's leadership in Nepal’s journey toward graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) to developing country, according to the UN spokesperson.

Nepal’s key priorities 

• Climate change: Loss and damage, climate finance 
• UN peacekeeping 
• LDC graduation 
• Rights of land-locked countries 
• SDGs

Nepal have faced a defeat at the hands of Thailand in their first semi-final match played today under ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifier.

Thailand thrashed Nepal by 46 runs in the match held at the UKM YSD Oval Cricket Stadium in Malaysia.

With the defeat, Nepal's dream of reaching the World Cup Global Qualifiers has been shattered.

Nepal, who were chasing a target of 106 runs, scored 59 runs losing all the wickets in 19. 3 overs.

Kabita Kunwar made the highest 11 runs for Nepal while Apsari Begum and Kabita Joshi each scored 10 runs. The rest of the Nepali batters could not make runs in the double digit.

Onicha Kamchomphu and Thipachcha Puthawang of Thailand took three wickets each while Nataya Buchatham took two wickets, and Phanita Maya and Sunida Chaturangaratna took one wicket each.

Thailand, who were invited to bat first after losing the toss, scored 105 runs in the allotted 20 overs at the loss of two wickets.

For Thailand, Nanapat Koncharoenkai hit the highest 59 runs, including four fours, off 63 balls. Similarly, Nathakam Chantham made 31 runs and Chunida Sutiruang made 11 runs not-out.

Kabita Kunwar and Puja Mahato took one wicket each for Nepal.

With this victory, Thailand reached the final of the tournament and booked a berth in the World Cup Global qualifiers.

Nepal had reached the semi-final as the runner-up in Group 'A' and Thailand as the winner of Group 'B'.

The Birgunj Metropolitan City has decided to close the schools after 2 pm on Monday to see the match between Nepal and India.

The match between Nepal and India under the Asia Cup will start from 2: 45 pm at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Issuing a notice on Monday, the Education Department of the Metropolitan City has decided to close all the public and private schools after 2 pm.

The Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City of Madhes Province has already decided to close all the schools after 2 pm to see the match.

Today’s match is considered very important for Nepal and India.

The senior teams of Nepal and India are facing each other for the first time.

After playing international cricket for almost three decades, Nepal's senior team is playing against cricket superpower India today.

Nepal have progressed into the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifier by defeating Qatar on Monday.

In the match played in Bangi of Malaysia, Nepal defeated Qatar by nine wickets and set a journey for the semi-finals.

It is the fourth consecutive win of Nepal in the tournament.

Earlier, Nepal outshined hosts Malaysia by five runs, Bahrain by 10 wickets and Bhutan by three wickets.

Nepal have secured their place in semi-finals ahead of a match from the group 'A'.

Chasing the target of 75 runs for victory, Nepal gathered the runs in 10.3 overs at the loss of a wicket.

Kajal Shrestha scored highest 32 runs for Nepal. Likewise, Indu Burma remained unbeaten with 20 runs.

Invited for bat first after losing the toss, Qatar made 74 runs in the allotted 20 overs at the loss of seven wickets.

Indu Sharma took three wickets for Nepal while Puja Mahato and Kabita Joshi took each wicket.

Nepal is set to play against UAE in the last group match on Wednesday.

The Tatopani checkpoint where Nepal shares a border with its northern neighbor China is to remain open from Friday.

The Tatopani checkpoint wherein human mobility has been halted for long will come into operation tomorrow.

A meeting between the Chinese and Nepali officials held at Lhasa on Tuesday decided to permit movement of the general public through the border point, informed Chief District Officer Ramesh Neupane. "We have made all necessary preparations from the Nepal side", he said.

The movement of goods carrying vehicles resumed three months back in the bordering checkpoint that has remained closed since the 2015 earthquake.

CDO Neupane further said that the human mobility through the border point will remain open from Friday onward.

According to him, locals from Sindhupalchowk district will receive a pass having a year permit for mobility through the border point.

Foreign policy is the principle that guides how a country uses different strategies to steer its relationship with other countries and international organizations. It is also known as an instrument that a state employs for promoting national interest and policy while dealing with the international community. It basically aims at contributing to global peace, harmony and security.  In a globalized world, every country seeks to protect national interest through its foreign policy.

The fundamental objectives of Nepal’s foreign policy are to enhance the dignity of the nation by safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and promoting economic well-being and prosperity of the country. Nepal has been adopting a policy of non-interference, non-violence, peaceful coexistence, mutual cooperation and respect for other countries’ sovereignty. Our foreign policy consists of strategic plans to interact with other countries, which is fundamentally used to achieve national interest. National interest should have three basic components—security, prosperity and social well-being. Some basic principles of Nepal’s foreign policy are mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, respect for mutual equality, non-aggression and peaceful settlement of disputes, cooperation for mutual benefits, faith in the chapter of the United Nation and world peace.

Nepal attempted to adjust its foreign policy after the restoration of multiparty democracy in the 1990s. Only after the advent of democracy in 1951 did Nepal’s foreign relations become robust and expanded. Before the political changes of 1951, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) was absent and Nepal’s foreign relations were very limited. 

Foreign policy is a means of statecraft that has become the most important mechanism to defend national interests in this globalized world. Nepal’s foreign policy has remained unchanged despite changes in regimes, constitutions and governments.

In the latter decades, Nepal has gone through several changes and transitions, the traditional practices have given way to new alternatives and the actions in foreign policy decision-making have substantially surged. The issue of a growing number of actors in foreign policy decision-making also calls for a serious overview. Other line ministries and government agencies have become a part of international engagement and a prominent stakeholder in foreign policy and diplomacy. In this context, the most prominent challenges are the lack of coordination among the actors involved along with the need for structures and intuitional changes.

These structural changes pose several challenges to Nepal’s foreign policy behavior. Geopolitical and geo-economic interests of Nepal have increased with the rise of India and China. These challenges and circumstances urge policymakers to induce policy coordination and structural changes to meet the new challenges. Modern foreign policy and diplomacy are experiencing fundamental changes at an unprecedented rate worldwide, affecting the traditional way of diplomacy and decision-making process. 

Nepal’s foreign engagement needs to be made more robust with policy coordination and structural changes to address the changing geopolitics and geo-economic scenario of the country. At this point in time, global power is shifting toward Asia, especially in reference to the rise of China and India. Our ties are heavily southward-oriented, especially toward India and China. So we must promote a sound relationship of trust with both of our immediate neighbors keeping the national interest at the core.

Nepal has been following the principle of non-alignment and panchasheel for a long time. But nowadays, debates among foreign policy experts are centering more and more on redefining our foreign policy. According to these experts, there is an urgent need for Nepal to review and redefine its foreign policy vis-a-vis a changing world order, balance of power and the rise of Asian powers. 

Some contemporary issues like economic diplomacy, development diplomacy, trade diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, public diplomacy and technology diplomacy deserve due priority. Proper coordination is necessary between line ministries and MoFA toward this end.

As global pollution edged upward in 2021, so did its burden on human health, according to new data from the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI). If the world were to permanently reduce fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guideline, the average person would add 2.3 years onto their life expectancy—or a combined 17.8bn life-years saved worldwide.

This data makes clear that particulate pollution remains the world’s greatest external risk to human health, with the impact on life expectancy comparable to that of smoking, more than three times that of alcohol use and unsafe water, and more than five times that of transport injuries like car crashes, says the report. 

Yet, the pollution challenge worldwide is vastly unequal.  “Three-quarters of air pollution’s impact on global life expectancy occurs in just six countries, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, China, Nigeria and Indonesia, where people lose one to more than six years off their lives because of the air they breathe,” says Michael Greenstone, the Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics and creator of the AQLI along with colleagues at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC).

“For the last five years, the AQLI’s local information on air quality and its health consequences has generated substantial media and political coverage, but there is an opportunity to complement this annual information with more frequent—for example, daily—and locally generated data.”

Indeed, many polluted countries lack basic air pollution infrastructure. Asia and Africa are the two most poignant examples. They contribute 92.7 percent of life years lost due to pollution. Yet, just 6.8 and 3.7 percent of governments in Asia and Africa, respectively, provide their citizens with fully open air quality data. Further, just 35.6 and 4.9 percent of countries in Asia and Africa, respectively, have air quality standards—the most basic building block for policies.

The collective current investments in global air quality infrastructure also do not match where air pollution is having its greatest toll on human life. While there is a large global fund for HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis that annually disburses $4bn toward the issues, there is no equivalent set of coordinated resources for air pollution.

In fact, the entire continent of Africa receives under $300,000 in philanthropic funds toward air pollution (i.e. the current average price of a single-family home in the United States). Just $1.4m goes to Asia, outside of China and India. Europe, the United States, and Canada, meanwhile, receive $34m, according to the Clean Air Fund.

“Timely, reliable, open air quality data in particular can be the backbone of civil society and government clean air efforts—providing the information that people and governments lack and that allows for more informed policy decisions,” says Christa Hasenkopf, the director of AQLI and air quality programs at EPIC. “Fortunately, we see an immense opportunity to play a role in reversing this by better targeting—and increasing—our funding dollars to collaboratively build the infrastructure that is missing today.”

Read the Full Report

South Asia

In no other location on the planet is the deadly impact of pollution more visible than in South Asia, home to the four most polluted countries in the world and nearly a quarter of the global population. In Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, the AQLI data reveal that residents are expected to lose about five years off their lives on average if the current high levels of pollution persist, and more in the most polluted regions—accounting for more than half of the total life years lost globally due to pollution.

Nepal

The study has shown that Nepal is the world’s third most polluted country based on satellite-derived PM2.5 data. Fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) shortens the average Nepali resident’s life expectancy by 4.6 years, relative to what it would be if the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 5 µg/m3 was met. Some areas of Nepal fare much worse than average, with air pollution shortening lives by 6.8 years in the nine districts with the highest concentration of particulate pollution, according to the study. These districts lie in southern Nepal and share their borders with the highly-polluted Northern Plains of India, the study says.

Asia and Africa bear the greatest burden 

Asia and Africa bear the greatest burden yet have some of the weakest infrastructure to deliver citizens timely, accurate data. They also receive tiny slices of an already small global philanthropic pie. For example, the entire continent of Africa receives less than $300,000 to tackle air pollution.

“There is a profound disconnect with where air pollution is the worst and where we, collectively and globally, are deploying resources to fix the problem,” Christa Hasenkopf, director of air quality programs at EPIC.

While there is an international financing partnership called the Global Fund that disburses $4bn annually on HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, there is no equivalent for air pollution.

“Yet, air pollution shaves off more years from the average person’s life in the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Cameroon than HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other health threats,” the report said.

Bangladesh tops ranking 

Globally, South Asia is the worst impacted region. Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan are in order the top four most polluted countries in terms of annualized, population-weighted averages of fine particulate matter, which are detected by satellites and defined as particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5).

Air pollution concentrations are then fed into the AQLI metric which calculates their impact on life expectancy, based on peer-reviewed methods. Residents of Bangladesh, where average PM2.5 levels were 74 micrograms per cubic meter, would gain 6.8 years of life if this were brought to WHO guidelines of five micrograms per cubic meter. India’s capital Delhi meanwhile is the “most polluted megacity in the world” with annual average particulate pollution of 126.5 micrograms per cubic meter. 

With inputs from AFP

“Timely, reliable, open air quality data in particular can be the backbone of civil society and government clean air efforts—providing the information that people and governments lack and that allows for more informed policy decisions,” says Christa Hasenkopf, the director of AQLI and air quality programs at EPIC

After the restoration of democracy in 1990, investigating corruption scandals and major crimes through high-level probe panels has been a recurrent practice in Nepal. These panels have ostensibly yielded reports advising government action, yet these documents have largely remained hidden from the public eye, and their recommendations conspicuously unheeded.

In some disconcerting instances, these very panels have appeared to function as protective shields for high-profile individuals entangled in corruption and other ignoble scandals.

This prompts a glaring question: why form such so-called high level probe commission and to what end? Also, what is the point of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), the constitutionally mandated body meant for probing corruption cases?

On Wednesday, political parties represented in the Federal Parliament decided to form yet another high-level panel, this time to investigate all known and unknown gold smuggling incidents. The decision is connected with the gold trafficking incident that took place via Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu last month. 

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police is tasked with the investigation of the case, but the main opposition, CPN-UML, looks askance, insisting on a separate high level commission for a fair inquest. The party resorted to obstructing the parliamentary proceedings to press its demand, and the ruling coalition parties led by CPN (Maoist Center) eventually relented.     

Prominent legal figure and former Supreme Court Justice Balaram KC has emphatically criticized this cross-party consensus, deeming it a grievous misstep that threatens to establish a harmful precedent. He says formation of a high level probe commission must be reserved in the case of an unprecedented and complex incident. “Gold smuggling is not a new event in the annals of crime that have taken place in Nepal.”

KC fears that this approach of forming high level probe commissions might be applied to even minor issues in the future. And since this time-honored practice has repeatedly failed, he casts doubt on the prospects of this fresh commission diverging from its predecessors.

The latest agreement to create a new commission comes with the appointment of a sitting judge to lead the inquiry. The commission, formed under the legal purview of the Commissions of Inquiry Act of 1969, is slated to commence its operations on 22nd September.

Section 3 (3) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act provisions that the Judicial Council will recommend a sitting justice to lead the commission. Section 4 of the Act elaborates on the commission's functions, duties, and powers. 

As per the Act, the commission can be given more authority if required. According to Section 5 (a), if the commission has reasonable grounds to believe that any item or document pertinent to the investigation is in possession of a person or situated in a specific place, it can conduct searches, adhering to prevailing laws. The commission can authorize a gazetted officer to execute searches and, if located, seize relevant items or documents, or procure full or partial copies of such documents.

The commission also holds the prerogative to penalize non-compliance with its directives or extend clemency.  Notably, the commission's mandate pertains not only to gold smuggling through Kathmandu airport but also encompasses a separate case involving the illicit transportation of gold concealed within e-cigarettes. In the latter case, former Home Minister and Vice-chairman of CPN (Maoist Center), Krishna Bahadur Mahara, and his son Rahul have been implicated. It was revealed in the investigation carried out by the CIB of Nepal Police that the father-son duo had repeatedly held telephone conversations and met the Chinese national involved in gold smuggling.

The formation of this commission, operating under the imprimatur of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, vests it with considerable jurisdiction. Beyond influencing policy matters, the commission possesses authority to conduct rigorous investigations, encompassing inquiries, depositions, and searches relating to gold smuggling offenses. Earlier, the ruling parties, particularly the Maoist Center, was reluctant to form the inquiry commission, fearing its authority to summon even high-ranking officials, including the prime minister and ministers, for statements.

The Maoist-led coalition government had to acquiesce to the demand for a powerful commission to probe the gold smuggling case, after the opposition UML and primary coalition partner, Nepali Congress, pressed Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. 

UML and Congress are not pleased with the arrest of their senior leaders and former ministers—Top Bahadur Rayamahi and Bal Krishna Khand respectively—in connection to another case. Now with one of the Maoist senior leaders implicated in the gold smuggling incident, UML and Congress want the prime minister to take strong action, even if that means arresting his own party leader.  

These developments have also engendered a palpable schism between the coalition partners Maoists and Congress. However, skeptics argue that the latest commission formed to investigate the gold smuggling incident will not bear any fruit. As history has borne witness, a litany of investigative commissions has been convened to scrutinize diverse incidents and irregularities, without any action.

These encompass tragic occurrences like the Dasdhunga accident and the Royal Palace massacre, as well as inquiries into procurement discrepancies, medical supply mismanagement, land allocation issues, and the procurement of wide-body aircraft. Despite the painstaking efforts of such commissions, the ultimate fate of their reports has invariably been obscurity.

However, retired police officer Hemanta Malla Thakuri contends that the prudent course would be to constitute high-level panels following the culmination of Nepal Police investigations. 

“While police investigations are primarily concerned with criminal dimensions, multifarious bureaucratic and political intricacies necessitate a broader investigative ambit,” he says.