Kathmandu: The official visit of the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, to Nepal from October 29 to November 1, 2023, is a testament to the enduring bonds between Nepal and the United Nations. These ties have grown stronger since Nepal joined the UN in 1955. It's worth recalling that since the last visit by then-Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2008, during a critical period in Nepal's transition from conflict to peace, the country has made significant strides, including the promulgation of a new constitution in 2015.

Subsequently, Nepal's primary focus has shifted towards socio-economic transformation and shared prosperity through sustainable development. The United Nations recognized this progress by graduating Nepal from a least developed country to a developing country in 2021, with a five-year grace period. Similarly, in June 2020, the World Bank reclassified Nepal as a lower-middle-income country. These developments signal Nepal's advancement on the global stage. However, emerging global challenges, as well as domestic hurdles stemming from vulnerability, structural issues, and capacity limitations, threaten to impede our developmental gains and the path to broader horizons.

The UN Charter's principles of peace, cooperation among nations, and the connection of all humanity have inspired the fundamental values embedded in Nepal's constitution. Nepal has consistently aligned itself with the United Nations' ultimate goals and principles, reflecting these in its laws and policies. While the challenges of implementation exist, they mirror, to a smaller extent, the challenges within our national context.

Looking at the opportunities for collaboration with the United Nations, we can explore several crucial areas in the context of the Secretary-General's visit.

Three Functional Pillars

Sustaining peace and security in a rapidly changing world marked by geopolitical complexities is a monumental task. The UN, as a member-driven organization, is committed to this priority. Recent events, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Hamas war, have shown the UN's challenges in containing and peacefully resolving conflicts. In our capacity as the world's second-largest contributor of troops to UN peacekeeping operations, Nepal has played a significant role on the global stage. Aspiring to become the number one contributor among South Asian nations, who are also among the highest contributors, would enhance Nepal's honor and prestige. Establishing a South Asian Peacekeeping Training Centre in Nepal, operated collectively, is an important goal. Nepal's increasing participation in peacekeeping operations justifies seeking enhanced roles for our security personnel in leadership positions, both at headquarters and in the field.

On the development front, the UN's efforts to unite the world under common global agendas, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are commendable. These initiatives give hope to billions in the global South for integrating their nations into the development mainstream, a significant step toward a more equitable and just world order. However, the equitable allocation of resources remains a challenge. As a nation in need of development assistance and technical support, Nepal must ensure a smooth flow of resources from the UN and other donor countries during its transition to graduation and beyond.

Nepal has made remarkable strides in human rights over the past two decades. The commitments enshrined in the Constitution of Nepal 2015 and relevant laws, coupled with progress in human rights, set the country apart. Nepal needs further human, physical, and institutional development, along with international support for the rule of law and a rule-based international order, to sustain this momentum.

However, we must address the issue of transitional justice (TJ), which was an integral part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the peace process. Completing the amendment to relevant legislation in the best interest of conflict victims and lasting peace is crucial.

LDC and LLDC Agenda

Nepal's role as coordinator of the Global LDC Bureau at the 78th UN General Assembly is a positive gesture. Collaboration with the global community to champion the cause of the world's Least Developed Countries (LDCs) is essential. The UN's mechanisms have made significant efforts to improve the situation of LDCs, which constitute 13% of the global population.

Nepal's graduation from LDC status by 2026 is a challenging prospect due to recent global economic slowdown, rising inflation, trade barriers, and geopolitical tensions. Nepal has never met the UN's criteria for GNI per capita, which emphasizes the need for economic diplomacy at the multilateral, regional, and bilateral levels. Nepal's Graduation Strategy should be unveiled soon to garner support from the global community.

While Nepal may no longer be an LDC after graduation, it remains a Landlocked Developing Country (LLDC), which poses challenges for overall development and export trade. Enhancing connectivity, transport networks, policies, institutions, and technological advancements is crucial to address this issue.

Climate Change and Other Emerging Crises

The UN is well-positioned to address climate change and manage pandemics like COVID-19. Support for adaptation, mitigation, and compensation for "loss and damage" in LDCs is essential, considering they contribute less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions but suffer the most from climate change. Nepal's unique mountain terrain and the impact of temperature rise downstream make it a crucial case.

The Secretary-General's visit to Nepal should highlight internal issues causing suffering but not of Nepal's making. Our geopolitical location, mountainous terrain, underdeveloped economy, limited trade, and transitional challenges require a coherent approach.

The United Nations plays a vital role in fostering a friendly, cooperative, and ideal global environment that aligns with the values and principles governing our complex world for the benefit of all humanity.

(Deepak Dhital is a former PR/Ambassador of Nepal to the United Nations.)