Submit your Article

Nepal recorded a significant tourism milestone in October, as it welcomed 117,306 foreign tourists by air, marking the highest monthly arrivals since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. This brings the total tourist arrivals in Nepal for the year to over 800,000.

 The arrival figures so far this year shows that Nepal’s tourist numbers will be near the pre-covid levels this year. Nepal welcomed 1.19m foreign tourists via air in 2019 before the covid pandemic hit the tourism industry out of gear throughout the world.

International tourism has continued to recover from the worst crisis in its history as arrival numbers reached 84 percent of pre-pandemic levels between Jan and July 2023, according to the latest data from UNWTO.

October’s remarkable performance outstripped the total foreign tourist count for Oct 2019, when Nepal hosted 113,816 visitors. In stark contrast, Oct 2022 saw only 52,121 foreign tourists visiting Nepal.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Europe emerged as the largest source market for Nepal in October, contributing 36,653 arrivals. However, this figure represents an 8.2 percent decrease compared to the arrival numbers for the same month in 2019 when Nepal welcomed 39,941 European tourists.

Arrivals from the SAARC region saw a remarkable increase of 37.4 percent in October compared to Oct 2019. Nepal received 26,772 visitors in October, compared to 19,455 in the same month four years ago. Conversely, arrivals from other Asian nations in October declined when compared to the same month in 2019, with Nepal receiving 16,084 tourists from Asian nations, as opposed to 22,267 in Oct 2019.

In October, arrivals from Oceania and the Americas showed improvements compared to October 2019, but arrivals from the Middle East declined by more than 50 percent, with only 1,043 tourists compared to 2,122 four years ago.

India remained the largest source market for Nepal in October, contributing 18,480 visitors, followed by the United States with 14,879, the United Kingdom with 8,219, China with 6,880, Australia with 6,075, Germany with 5,916, France with 5,271, and Bangladesh with 4,292 visitors.

The autumn season, which spans from September to December, is considered Nepal’s peak tourist season, as trekkers get to savor the best views after the monsoon rains. In the first ten months of 2023, Nepal has welcomed a total of 809,372 tourists via air. The highest influx of tourists was recorded in October, with 117,306 foreign tourists, while the lowest was in July, with 57,726 arrivals.

Nepal and China have agreed to promote collaboration and cooperation in the field of judiciary, though the two countries have entirely different judicial systems.

Chief Justice Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, who is currently on a visit to the northern neighbor, held bilateral talks with Zhang Jun, the Chief Justice and President of the Supreme People's Court, China.

During the meeting, various matters within the realm of judicial services were discussed. Expressing satisfaction over the longstanding bilateral relations happily existing between Nepal and China, both parties agreed to further strengthen this relationship by promoting cooperation and collaboration in the field of judiciary, the Nepali side stated in a press statement.

Shrestha commended China for its noteworthy accomplishments in the application of information and communications technology in the field of judicial services and underlined the need for exchange of knowledge, experiences and best practices between the two countries. 

Nepal defeated the UAE to qualify for the T20 World Cup.

In the match played at the Mulpani Cricket Ground under the T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier on Friday, Nepal thrashed the UAE by eight wickets to secure a berth at the T20 World Cup to be held in the US and West Indies next year.

Asif Sheikh scored unbeaten World 63 runs off 50 runs hitting six boundaries and sixes to guide Nepal to the World Cup.

Similarly, Captain Rohit Paudel made unbeaten 35 runs of 21 balls with three fours and one six.

Likewise, Kushan Bhurtel added 11 runs to the scoreboard and Gulsan Jha returned to the pavilion by scoring 22 runs.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, the UAE scored 134 runs in allotted 20 overs losing nine wickets.

Vritiya Aravind scored 64 runs off 51 balls with eight boundaries and two sixes for the UAE.

Similarly, Captain Muhammad Waseem made 26 runs while Alishan Sharafu and Asif Khan contributed 16 and 13 runs respectively.

Kushal Malla took three wickets for Nepal. Likewise, Sandeep Lamichhane claimed two wickets and Sompal Kami and Rohit Paudel took one wicket each.

Earlier, Nepal had played the T20 World Cup in 2014.

In the tournament held in Bangladesh, Nepal defeated Afghanistan and Hong Kong before losing to the hosts.

Nepal government and the World Bank today exchanged the digitally-signed financing agreements for a $100m concessional loan from the International Development Association and a $3.84m grant from the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Trust Fund to strengthen the quality, coverage, and resilience of Nepal’s health system. 

These agreements were digitally signed on 27 Oct 2023. This is the first World Bank-financed project in Nepal that was digitally signed. The agreements for the Nepal Quality Health Systems Program Operation were signed by Finance Secretary, Krishna Hari Pushkar and the World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, Faris Hadad-Zervos.

The agreements were exchanged in the presence of Honorable Minister of Finance, Prakash Sharan Mahat, World Bank Managing Director for Operations, Anna Bjerde, and World Bank Vice-president for South Asia, Martin Raiser. The program will be implemented by the Ministry of Health and Population in coordination with the Health Insurance Board at the federal level, and selected provincial and local levels in Koshi and Gandaki provinces.

The program emphasizes improving the readiness of the health system for delivery of quality healthcare, enhancing coverage of health insurance, and strengthening health emergency preparedness and response capacity at the selected provincial and local levels.

“Quality healthcare serves as the cornerstone of human capital development. The comprehensive reform agenda set forth by the Nepal Quality Health Systems Program Operation will be pivotal in enhancing access to high-quality healthcare services,” said Krishna Hari Pushkar, Finance Secretary.

“We are committed to work with the government to build a resilient and inclusive public health system in Nepal that protects vulnerable populations and contributes to improved productivity and strong human capital development, which is fundamental to sustainable economic growth,” said Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

The Government of Nepal and 16 development partners agreed to consolidate and scale up financing and technical assistance to support Nepal to implement a set of high-priority investments and policies in line with Nepal’s Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID). 

A joint communique to operationalize Nepal’s GRID Strategic Action Plan was endorsed at a high-level event organized today by the Ministry of Finance with support from the World Bank and other development partners.

At the event, the government, development partners, civil society organizations, private sector stakeholders, and think tanks also renewed their commitments to work across institutional and sectoral boundaries to continue to finance and implement Nepal’s GRID priorities.

“In Nepal, we have already internalized the GRID approach to build a greener, more resilient, and more inclusive economy that can withstand shocks, protect our environment, and uplift the lives of our people,” said Honorable Finance Minister, Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat. “Nepal’s new GRID Strategic Action Plan can be a policy vehicle that accelerates growth and job creation, strengthens livelihoods, and boosts the prosperity of Nepali people sustainably.” 

The external financing for the GRID Strategic Action Plan includes grants and other concessional financing such as subsidized loans, and innovative financing such as carbon finance. External financing is complemented by Nepal’s public budget and also aims to leverage foreign and domestic private sector investment.

The GRID Strategic Action Plan identifies a set of ten priority actions including: managing land, water, and forests in a more productive, sustainable, and integrated way for more resilient infrastructure, ecosystems, and food systems; equipping people with new skills and resilient livelihoods; greening urban development; scaling up water supply and sanitation, reducing air pollution and managing solid waste; scaling up renewable energy; boosting the sustainability and resilience of transport; strengthening disaster risk management; and enhancing social protection and health systems to be more responsive to shocks.

“The World Bank is proud to support Nepal to take this strategic step toward a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive economy,” said Anna Bjerde, World Bank Managing Director for Operations. “Nepal’s GRID approach focuses on the quality of development and growth—the type of growth that reduces extreme poverty, narrows structural inequalities, protects the environment, sustains the growth process, and makes it more resilient.”

Investment priorities in the GRID Strategic Action Plan aim to build on Nepal’s development success stories, scale up action on the ground, help mobilize private sector investment, and deliver sustainability along with resilience and inclusion at the same time. This will help create more jobs for more people; build the resilience of people and their livelihoods; boost environmental, climate, water, and food security; and create opportunities for a more inclusive and durable economy.

The Indian government, which has banned the export of sugar, has now allowed Nepal to import up to 25,000 metric tons of sugar.

A meeting of the Agriculture Ministry held recently decided to export sugar equal to that quantity to Nepal.

Earlier, the Nepali market had been facing a shortage of sugar due to the ban imposed on sugar by India.

India, the world’s largest sugar producing country, had stopped exporting sugar to other countries citing decrease in the production.

India had banned the export of sugar for the past three-four months.

“We have expected that there will be an easy supply of sugar in the market leading to the end of black marketing,” Tartharaj Chiluwal, Director General at the Department of Commerce Supply and Consumer Protection, said. “Now, there will not be an acute shortage of sugar in the market. Once the sugar is exported to Nepal, it will be enough for three months.”

Nepal needs 300, 00 metric tons of sugar annually. At least 150, 000 metric tons of sugar is produced in Nepal.

The United States of America has requested Nepal to become a member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), a multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.

Till now, more than 55 countries have joined the OGP. At a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud at Washington, DC, USAID Administrator Samantha Power discussed the matter.

It is not clear how Nepal reacted to the US offer. USAID Spokesperson Jessica Jennings said: Administrator Power reinforced the US government’s partnership to further strengthen the relationship with Nepal and recognized Nepal’s democratic progress, including potential membership in the Open Government Partnership.

During the conversation, the duo discussed the impact of USAID’s long-standing investment in Nepal and discussed the new development priorities.  According to the spokesperson, Administrator Power expressed commitment to advancing Nepal’s inclusive economic development and highlighted USAID’s work with the Nepal government and private sector to unlock the country’s investment potential. After the bilateral talks with his American counterpart, Foreign Minister NP Saud is holding talks with heads of USAID, MCC and other development agencies.

Saud also held a meeting with US International Development Finance Corporation's CEO Scott Nathan where he highlighted the measures taken by Nepal to enhance private investment in various sectors of the economy and urged DFC to encourage the American private sector to invest in Nepal.  

CEO Nathan said DFC wants more projects in Nepal, including in infrastructure development, energy, and agro-business, apart from its current involvement with SMEs. He noted that DFC is not only involved in financing, but also helps to create the ecosystem for private-sector development.

Minister Saud also participated in a talk program titled Nepal’s Foreign Policy Outlook hosted by the United States Institute of Peace. Speaking about Nepal’s foreign policy orientation, Minister Saud stressed Nepal’s pursuit of an independent foreign policy which is based on the Charter of the United Nations, non-alignment, and principles of Panchasheel. “Our conduct of external relations is based on a balanced and independent outlook, which is rooted in the historical fact that we were among the few countries that always remained independent, free from any colonial rule,” he said.

Highlighting Nepal’s political transformation of historic proportions, the Minister said, “We ended armed conflict in the country by establishing a home-grown peace process tailored to our requirements. We were able to settle differences by making a democratic constitution. That happened in Nepal. In the country of the Buddha, peace prevailed; democracy prevailed. In this journey, the support from our partners like the USA was important.”

Access to justice is one of the key challenges facing Nepal’s judicial system. 

Factors like a low level of awareness, lack of legal literacy and inherent social and structural systems have made justice inaccessible for a large section of the society, women and members of disadvantaged communities in particular.

For decades, the formal justice system of Nepal included the Supreme Court at the top, and appellate and district courts at the middle and lower rungs. A bureaucratic, formal and costly justice system meant that a large section of the public felt intimidated and scared to approach it, compelling them to suffer injustice in silence.

In order to overcome these impediments, the state did introduce the system of community mediation and justice administration through quasi-judicial bodies. But these bodies have neither been formally institutionalized nor has the public been sensitized about the kinds of services they are supposed to provide. Perhaps to address this gap, the Constitution of Nepal 2015 envisaged separate judicial committees under the local level to work as primary vehicles for a community-based justice-dispensation system. 

Legal provisions

Article 217 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal 2015 provides for a three-member judicial committee in each of the 753 local levels with the mandate to adjudicate, arbitrate and refer cases for mediation at the local level. Article 217 (2) stipulates election of other two members of the committee at village and municipal assemblies. The judicial committees are under deputy mayors in municipalities and vice-chairpersons in rural municipalities.

The Constitution has also provided for mandatory election of male and female as either mayor/chairperson or deputy mayor/vice-chairperson, resulting in the election of women deputy mayors and vice-chairpersons in over 90 percent of 753 local levels. Apparently, these committees are overwhelmingly led by elected representatives, who are women.

Clause 47 (1) of the Local Government Operation Act (LGOA) 2017 elaborates on functional and procedural aspects of the judicial committees, “empowering them to settle disputes related to 13 specific matters.”

Per Clause 47 (2) of LGOA, judicial committees have the right to settle disputes through mediation in 11 other matters. The disputants can directly register cases at the court under Clause 47 (2); they can also move the district court in case of dissatisfaction with the committee’s decisions.

In case of adjudication and arbitration, the committee regards the opinion of the majority as its decision. In the case of mediation, it keeps a roster of mediators and refers the parties to mediation centers at the ward level. 

Challenges aplenty

Since the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal 2015, local level elections have taken place twice. Elected representatives have come and gone, but the judicial committees’ challenges remain as they are. Some of the problems facing these bodies include lack of institutional mechanisms, insufficient clarity on jurisdictions, lack of procedural clarity, expertise and human resources, administrative capacity and institutional capacity to implement decisions.

Nepal Law Society (NLS) and Rural Development Foundation (RDF) have been conducting different activities like organizing programs to support the functioning of judicial committees. They provided support to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration in drafting LGOA, apart from conducting a pilot study on the performance of the committees and conducting training sessions for the committees’ functionaries on due process, facilitation between committees and concerned district courts, capacity building through orientations and compiling suggestions from all local level leaders regarding necessary policy/legal reforms. 

NLS has identified a number of challenges facing these committees. They include lack of understanding on distinctive provisions in Clauses 46-53 of the Local Governance Operation Act; lack of awareness on gender, inclusion and legal education; failure on the part of judicial committees to fulfill due processes leading to overturning of their decisions by district courts and lack of mediation skills and insufficient human and physical/financial resources. 

Other challenges include the lack of coordination between judicial committees and the local level in the execution of decisions; domination of judicial committees by mayors/chairpersons; lack of awareness among target groups about the significance of these committees; lack of easy access to the committees among target groups due to lack of awareness or feeling of intimidation; lack of local civil society organizations that can facilitate the target groups’ access to justice and absence of a network connecting these committees for their collective strengthening and dearth of friendly laws.

The author is Executive Director of Nepal Law Society

This article is part 1 of a two-part series

Visiting UN Secretary General António Guterres has said that the world could learn much from Nepal in responding to multiple crises.

Addressing the joint session of the Federal Parliament on Tuesday, Guterres said, "As geopolitical tensions rise, global divisions are becoming deeper and more dangerous. Smaller countries fear becoming collateral damage in competition between great powers. And climate catastrophe is accelerating with deadly force."

According to him, other countries can learn much from Nepal in responding to such crises.

Nepal a promoter of peace, champion of multilateralism

Similarly, he viewed Nepal as a promoter of peace, a champion of multilateralism, and a staunch supporter of sustainable development and climate action.

"Nestled between two great powers, you have forged your own path to safeguard your sovereignty and independence.  And your journey over the past twenty years has been wonderful to see," he said, adding that a new republic with a new Constitution has the UN Charter at its heart.

He lauded Nepal, saying it was quick to embrace the Sustainable Development Goals, and is making progress on many of them. "Your country has successfully calmed the storms of conflict and moved from war to peace. A process the United Nations has been proud to support," he shared.

Nepal's dynamic story of progress continues today, the UN Secretary General viewed, adding that Nepal's graduation from Least Developed Country status is imminent. The UN is committed to supporting a smooth transition, he vowed.

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has said Nepal has long been a friend to the international system and a steadfast champion of multilateralism, peace and developing countries’ interests.

In his address to the joint session of the Federal Parliament at New Baneswor-based Parliament building on Tuesday, the UN chief stressed on the dire need of revitalization and reforms in the system.

Noting that the world is in a state of flux and is moving towards multi-polarity, he said, "A multipolar world provides new opportunities for leadership and balance on the global stage".

The UN Secretary General said this new dynamic, however, requires strong multilateral institutions to maintain peace. "History shows us that. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Europe was multipolar, but without strong multilateral institutions, it descended into war that engulfed the world. That is not a risk we can take".

Underlining the need of strong international institutions that reflect the realities of today, Guterres said the developing countries must have far greater representation in international institutions.

He called for reform of the outdated United Nations Security Council and proposed measures to reform the global financial architecture – so that it better represents developing countries and responds to their needs.  "These proposals are gaining real traction – at this year’s United Nations General Assembly and beyond.".

The United Nations Summit of the Future next year is an important chance to push further progress, he noted, adding, "I count on Nepal’s support to help make the change we need a reality.".

The UN chief argued that multilateralism must both reflect the world, and respond to it, which means creating the institutions and tools we need to address new threats, and to seize new opportunities.

"Technology can solve problems and spur development. It can entrench divisions and inflame inequality", he said, adding that today it is doing too little of the former and too much of the latter.

He called for a global response to the technologies that are changing the world at astonishing speed in a way to harness them for the good of humanity.

The UN high-level body on Artificial Intelligence comprising experts from G77 countries will report this year, so member states can consider global governance options for artificial intelligence, he said in his address. "We must also bring the benefits of technology to all, and ensure that in a new technological era, no one is left behind. That is the purpose of the Global Digital Compact the United Nations has proposed".

It aims to bring together governments and industry to ensure that technology works for all, and accelerates the Sustainable Development Goals, he mentioned.

"As a steadfast champion of multilateralism, peace and developing countries’ interests, Nepal will be a vital ally at the Summit", the UN Secretary added.

Nepal entered the semi-finals of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier with a six-wicket victory over Malaysia at the TU Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Nepal bowled out Malaysia to 165 runs in the allotted 20 overs losing all the wickets.

In response, Nepal chased the target in 18 overs losing four wickets.

Kushal Malla scored a half century for Nepal. Similarly, Kushal Bhurtel contributed 43 runs off 24 balls hitting four boundaries and four sixes and Asif Sheikh made 32 runs off 23 balls with one four and two sixes. Likewise, Sundeep Jora scored unbeaten 18 runs.

The United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) is the world’s top diplomat. The UNSG’s job is often described as the “toughest job in the world,” a sentiment passed down from the inaugural Secretary-General to his successors. The incumbent UNSG Antonio Guterres is the ninth individual to hold this esteemed position. He formally took office on 1 Jan 2017. Currently in his second term, Secretary-General Guterres is upholding the longstanding tradition of visiting Nepal, including a visit to Lumbini—the birthplace of Gautam Buddha—enlightened son of Nepal. His predecessor Ban Ki-Moon visited Nepal in 2008 and addressed the Constituent Assembly, which was engaged with the task of drafting a constitution. The UN facilitated the peace process by providing technical and electoral support. The intergovernmental organization remains as a valuable development partner for Nepal. 

The present visit comes on the invitation of the Prime Minister of Nepal.  His visit from Oct 29 to Nov 1 signifies a continued commitment to fostering international cooperation and addressing global challenges. As per the press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Oct 27, the Secretary-General will address the joint session of the Federal Parliament on Oct 31. The first-hand observation of the impacts of climate change on the Himalayas and a brief conversation with the affected communities are also on his itinerary.  

Immediately after arrival on Oct 29, he had meetings with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Prakash Saud, and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal where he discussed matters, including Nepal’s ongoing peace process, graduation to the status of a developing country from the category of Least Developed Countries, advancement toward the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the mitigation of climate change impact. Nepal faces the impact of climate change disproportionately. 

The Prime Minister assured the UNSG of Nepal’s commitment to bringing transitional justice process to a logical conclusion through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons in accordance with the rulings and directives of the Supreme Court, related international conventions, and concerns and interests of the victims.  

The UNSG also had separate meetings with former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, and opposition leader in the House of Representatives and Chair of the CPN-UML. The meetings reportedly centered on concluding the peace process and addressing the impacts of climate change.  

The UN Security Council (UNSC) picks up UNSG. It means all five permanent members of the UNSC have to agree on the candidate. Mainly the US and Russia have a great deal of sway over the selection. Guterres assumed the office of UN Secretary-General on 1 Jan 2017. He is a former Prime Minister of Portugal and has worked as the chief of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, one of the most essential UN bodies. As a matured and most experienced politician turned world’s top diplomat, he has a fair knowledge of the inner workings of the UN’s cumbersome bureaucracy. He is multilingual and articulate and is considered decent and able, pragmatic and principled.  

Secretary-General Guterres heads the UN at a time when the world body stands at a crossroads, facing the worst institutional crisis. The world body has been made feeble and bypassed in most of the cases. However, the UN, made up of 193 sovereign member-states, has the widest reach, heaviest weight, and global legitimacy. There is no substitute to the universality and unique legitimacy that comes from the United Nations. The UN incorporates the “collective will” of member-states.  Member-states exercise their rights of sovereign equality under the UN Charter, which also acts as the guardian of “inadmissibility of interference” in their internal affairs. 

The UN is a forum where every country presents its national policy, perspectives and positions on contemporary global issues.  It is where there is sovereign equality of nations. The UNSG draws attention to the plight of the poor, the sick and the victims of war. The UN is also a forum where 193 members are often found querulous and demanding on the organizations. Every member country is apparently determined to put national interests before the common good.  

There are institutional limitations to address all their concerns and demands. The UN and UNSG can only influence when permanent five-strong states cooperate, and allow the world body to perform. US President Harry Truman is quoted to have said, “No matter how great our strength, we must deny ourselves the license to always do as we please.” 

Great powers can make the UN work or frustrate all its efforts. If great powers see no economic value or strategic importance, they show callous indifference to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. Rwanda is one such example. 

The UNSG, though the world’s top diplomat, is the servant of the politically powerful. Former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, delivering a series of high-profile speeches in his final days at the office, said, “America is not working better with other countries—sees it as a lament that might be seen as a sign of his own frustrations, (The Economist, 18 Dec 2006). When the UNSC did not endorse America and its allies for invasion of Iraq in 2003, hostility with the United Nations grew in Washington. Putting all shortcomings or non-performances of individual states at the doors of the UN and its Secretary-General, often referred to as a “scapegoat” (SG)—a phrase attributed to a former Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, does no justice to the office of the UN Secretary-General. The crucial failure of political will on part of the member-states should not be attributed as the fault of UNSG. 

The three pillars

The United Nations has three pillars consisting of economic development, human rights and making and keeping peace. UNSG acts often as a cajoler and fixer, not a global boss. Acting as a neutral arbiter for stopping death and destruction and preventive diplomacy is what the UN does. 

Member-states work within the United Nations to project their positions and use their ability to attract and persuade others to accept their positions, which is often called “soft power.” The United Nations, with all imposed structural imperfections, has no hard or coercive power. But it is the UN that has the universality, legitimacy and acceptability where sovereign states come together, share burdens, address common problems and seize opportunities. 

It was within the vital framework of the principles and purposes of the UN Charter that G20 found a way out to bring warring countries  on board and agree on the most contentious issue—Ukraine. This shows it is up to the member-states what they want to make of the UN—an effective organization or incompetent or a prisoner of rivalries. 

Problems sans passports

The world is simultaneously confronting challenges on all fronts in an age of “problems without passports,” like climate crises, persistent poverty and inequality, pandemic, populism, communalism, growing intolerance and transnational crimes. The world confronted coronavirus and saw havoc with even great powers struggling with serious health problems of their people. The divides growing between the poor and rich, lower and middle-income countries were the most alarming signs.  

The world is burdened with several crises ranging from the Ukraine war to Hamas-Israel war to transnational challenges. There is a development crisis. Desertification is increasing, environmental degradation is staring at us amidst a scarcity of resources. The pervasiveness of poverty is often referred to as “bottom billion.” 

Global problems require global solutions. Complex problems must be dealt comprehensively, in their full economic, social and political dimensions. As no other institutions exist in pursuit of global commons and global good, the UN is the only institution to have global legitimacy. Unilateralism has proved ineffective. Multilateralism with the UN at the center seems to be the only way forward. 

The UN Charter long ago noted that peace and security depend on the social and economic advancement of people. It is often seen that the UN has tackled challenges rhetorically, contributing to its reputation as a talking shop. The UN should rediscover the principle of pragmatism, which is hard work for a real political pragmatism.  The theme chosen for the 78th UNGA this year has been “rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity” to accelerate action to speed up the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Agenda has 17 goals ranging from combating climate change to eliminating hunger and poverty to achieving gender equality, and promoting social welfare. This set of goals was adopted in 2015 to realize them by 2030, after the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals), adopted in Sept 2000 at the UN Millennium Summit reached their deadline.  

The graduation plan

The UN website describes SDGs to be in deep peril, with more people in extreme poverty, development reversing under the combined impacts of climate disasters, conflict, economic downturns and lingering covid-19 effects. As the country plans to graduate to developing status from Least Developed Countries’ (LDCs) status by 2026, the issue of how to make the graduation sustainable and irreversible should figure in discussions with the UNSG.   

Global power is making a historic transition to Asia based on the growth of Nepal’s neighbors—China followed by India. Geopolitical tensions and rivalries are rising to their prominence in Asia and Nepal’s neighborhood. There is a clear distraction from pressing problems, as politics has become explosive and populist, diplomacy, too, stands like a minefield.  Nepal has to be extraordinarily and exceptionally careful and show its wisdom in securing national space and ensuring a decent life for its people. 

Nepal formally joined the United Nations in 1955. Over the years, Nepal has shown unwavering commitment and support to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and unflinching faith in multilateralism.  The foreign policy of Nepal, as Prime Minister BP Koirala said while addressing the 15th UNGA-1960, “is fully inspired by the principles and purposes of the United Nations’ Charter. We regard the United Nations not only as a bulwark of our independence and security, but also as the protector of our rights and freedom.” 

Nepal’s participation at the highest level at the UNGA and contributions to peacekeeping missions under the aegis of the UN for the cause of global peace and security is a part of this tradition.  Currently, 6308 Nepali peacekeepers are deployed in 13 missions in troubled spots around the world. Nepal ranks first in sending women peacekeepers and second as troops contributing country under the aegis of the UN. 

Time for a revamped UN

The structure of the world body including its main component UNSC does not reflect the existing geopolitical, demographic and economic realities. However, the UN is essential to the world in which we live. The only alternative is to have a more effective and functioning United Nations. 

There is no room for bullying tactics and confrontational style in the 21st century. Without support from 193 member-states, UNSG can do little, and “cut the mustard,” restore excellence, integrity and pride, and make the organization more relevant and effective to the present needs of its members. The job of the UNSG has been described by the inaugural incumbent as “the most impossible task on earth.” Some SGs have been more a doer than a communicator.  

The refugee crisis

As a UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the current Secretary-General facilitated the process of the third-country resettlement of over 100,000 Bhutanese refugees in Europe and America. Bhutan had forcibly evicted these people in the 1980s and 90s.  Resettlement process in different countries was carried out in consultations and coordination with the UN and concerned countries. There are over 6000 refugees remaining in the refugee camps. Either they should return home in dignity or resettled in third countries. It would not be out of place and context to raise the issue with the visiting dignitary, who is fully familiar with the crux of the problem. 

The author is a former Nepali ambassador/PR to the UN

RSS

The government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) today signed a concessional loan agreement for the implementation of Rural Connectivity Project-Additional Financing.

The agreement involves a loan amounting to USD 100 million, which is equivalent to around Rs 13 billion.

Finance Secretary Krishna Hari Pushkar and ADB Country Director for Nepal, Arnaud Cauchois, signed on the agreement on behalf of their respective sides in the Ministry today, according to the Ministry of Finance.

Similarly, the project agreement was signed by Bharat Prasad Aryal, Director General of the Department of Local Infrastructures, five province secretaries: Ramesh Kumar Singh, Amrit Shrestha, Shankar Prasad Pandit, Sunil Poudel and Vishnu Bhandari; and the ADB Country Director.

The project aims to strengthen rural road connectivity and enhance the capacity of rural infrastructure agencies and road users. The proposed assistance is expected to have a transformational impact by establishing and maintaining year-round road connectivity.

On the occasion, the Finance Secretary said," Rural communities are also vulnerable to climate change impact such as increasing frequency and intensity of flooding and landslides which can damage roads.  In this context, this project has a great relevance and significance in establishing and maintaining year-round connectivity to promote inclusion and growth in rural areas."

The ADB Country Director for Nepal expressed hope that the concessional loan would play a crucial role in improving rural connectivity by constructing all-weather roads and bridges across five out of seven provinces in Nepal, totaling 324 kilometers.

The Finance Secretary appreciated the ADB's continued support to Nepal's socio-economic development.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is presently on a four-day official visit to Nepal beginning on Sunday, has said the world should learn a lesson from Nepal's homegrown practices for the establishment of peace.

In his address to a program organized at the Pulchowk-based UN Building in Lalitpur today, Guterres said the world should take a lesson from Nepal's homegrown practices for establishing peace, efforts to conclude transitional justice and its contribution to the UN peacekeeping operations.

On the occasion, he urged the UN staff in Nepal to assist Nepal to become competitive and successful in each areas including the socio-economic sector.  He sought the role of UN staff here in Nepal's efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

He made it clear that his Nepal visit is primarily centered on the matters to conclude the peace process, to assist those affected by the impact of climate change and to facilitate Nepal to graduate to a developing country from the category of the least developed country.  He reminded that the interests of survivors be prioritized while taking the transitional justice process to a conclusion.

Expressing his concerns about Nepal bearing the brunt of the impacts of climate change including snow melting although it does not have any role in carbon emissions globally, Secretary-General Guterres stressed the need for all stakeholders to take the matter seriously.

Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal said all assistance would continue for upgrading Nepal to a developing country and achieving a sustainable peace as per the UN guidelines and recommendations. The UN continues to support Nepal for the implementation of its constitutional rights and the equitable inclusive development, she added.

Guterres arrived in Nepal on Sunday at the invitation of Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Visiting UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has pledged to bring global attention to the impact of climate change on mountain life in Nepal.

He made this commitment while visiting the Khumbu Pasang Lhyamu Rural Municipality-4 in Solukhumbu as part of his four-day official trip to Nepal.

On the occasion, Guterres engaged in an interaction with the local community to discuss the challenges posed by climate change and its impacts on their daily lives. He vowed to inform the world about the consequences of climate change in mountain regions, incorporating the input of the local residents in the upcoming COP-28, the UN Climate Change Conference.

The UN Secretary General highlighted that developed nations bear significant responsibility for climate change, but it is disheartening that rural areas like Khumbu are experiencing its consequences disproportionately, according to rural municipality chair Laxman Adhikari.

Guterres vowed to initiate efforts to mitigate the consequences of climate change and raise global awareness of the urgency of addressing these issues.

During the interaction, local residents informed him about various climate change-related issues, including the melting of snow, climate change-induced hazards, the depletion of water resources, the impact on local agriculture, and occurrences of avalanches. They also discussed the energy crisis in their locality and requested UN support for the development of micro hydropower projects.

The delegation led by Secretary General Guterres includes Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Undersecretary General for Peace Operations, the United Nations, Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal and other UN officials.

Guterres arrived in Nepal on Sunday on his four-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

On the first day of his visit, he separately paid a courtesy call on President Ram Chandra Paudel and PM Dahal. He also had separate meetings with Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud.

Following the meetings, Secretary General Guterres visited the Patan Durbar Square, a heritage site of historical and archeological importance.

PM Dahal hosted a banquet reception on Sunday evening in his honor. 

During his stay in Nepal, he is planning to visit Pokhara, Annapurna Base Camp and Lumbini.

According to the Parliament Secretariat, he is slated to address the joint session of the Federal Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.

Visiting United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said that Nepal's efforts made to its graduation from LDC are praiseworthy.

Talking to the media after his meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the UN Secretary General also said that Nepal has played a key role in maintaining world peace and resolving multilateral issues.

"Besides peace building, Nepal has made positive achievements in political transformation in the past 20 years,' he said.

"Much more international action is needed. Developed countries must step up to support sustainable development, and help developing economies including Nepal to tackle the climate crisis.”

Saying that he will see the terrible impact of the climate crisis in Nepal, UN Secretary General Guterres argued that the developed nations should help Nepal in this regard.

On the occasion, Guterres said that the transitional justice process in Nepal must help bring peace to victims, families and communities and added that Nepal's transitional justice should meet international standards, the Supreme Court’s rulings, and the needs of victims.

Moreover, he urged to end the nightmare for the people of Gaza, Israel and all those affected around the world.

The UN Secretary General expressed his sympathies to the bereaved families of 10 Nepalis who lost their lives in Israel and hoped for the safe release of missing Bipin Joshi.