Climate Diplomacy In UN Forum

Yuba Nath Lamsal:---- The 81st United Nations General Assembly commences next week (September 8), in which world leaders and diplomats rub shoulders at the UN headquarters. The UN annual gala event kicks off on the third Tuesday of September every year, where countries engage in multi-lateral diplomacy seeking to address some pressing issues facing the humanity. A high-level Nepalese delegation is participating in the 81st UN General Assembly, which has been a regular annual phenomenon since the 11th General Assembly in 1956. The term ‘United Nations’ was coined by former US president Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942 to denote a coalition of countries at war against Axis powers during World War II. As the war was raging, 26 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, China and the Soviet Union, met in Washington and signed the ‘Declaration of the United Nations’. The October 1943 Moscow meeting of US, UK and Russian foreign ministers agreed to create an international organization for global security and peace. However, differences persisted on its organizational structure and decision-making pattern. The concept could not materialize as it was understood as an alliance dominated by three big powers— the US, UK and Soviet Union—until the Tehran conference in December 1943. Bone of contention:---- The key bone of contention in particular was the power of the Security Council or veto power. But, at the same time, they were mindful of the dynamics that led to the League of Nations’ failure. The concept was further developed in the Dumbarton Oaks and Yalta conferences and finally agreed in the San Francisco conference. Fifty countries held vigorous deliberation for over two months in San Francisco and gave the final shape of the United Nations Organisation, signing its Charter on June 26, 1945. The UN was formally born on October 24, 1945, as the required number of countries ratified the Charter, which has three principal bodies -- the General Assembly, Security Council and the Secretariat, several other key organs and specialized agencies. UN carries out its activities through these bodies, organs and special agencies. The General Assembly is the most important body where all members, irrespective of their physical size, economic and military powers enjoy equal rights and status. The General Assembly is the world’s largest global forum where countries conduct multi-lateral diplomacy, raise their voices and forward ideas on common interests and collective action on all issues facing humanity. The first UN General Assembly Session was held in London on January 10, 1946, as the United Nations did not have its own buildings and it decided to have its headquarters in the United States. The construction of the UN’s own building was completed in 1955 and the UN headquarters was permanently shifted to its own building in Manhattan, New York in 1956. The UN has 193 members and two observers (Vatican City and Palestine). The fundamental goal of the UN’s creation was to prevent war and ensure a peaceful and just world. The third world war has so far not taken place, of which the UN may own credit. However, the UN has not been able to completely prevent wars, as humanity continues to be afflicted by wars and conflicts of varied natures in different parts of the world. Despite this, the UN continues to remain more important for developing and least developed countries to get engaged in global diplomacy and interact with the world. The history of Nepal’s diplomatic journey goes back to the unification era over two and a half centuries ago when Jaisi Kotha was established to handle foreign policy and diplomacy. However, the year 1816 marks the beginning of Nepal’s formal diplomatic relations with other countries when Nepal and Britain agreed to establish diplomatic relations following the Sugauli Treaty. Nepal began to diversify diplomatic relations only a century later when Nepal established diplomatic relations with the United States in 1947, followed by establishing diplomatic relations with independent India almost two months later and with France in 1949. As part of continued efforts to diversify diplomatic relations, Nepal sought to join the United Nations in 1949 and accordingly applied, backed with all necessary documents. In 1955, it formally became a UN member along with 15 other countries. After joining the world's body, Nepal has been playing an active role and has made a significant presence in global diplomacy through this forum. Given the global and regional geopolitical reality and geographical location, Nepal is required to focus more on multilateral diplomacy, for which the UN is an appropriate forum. Nepal has abiding faith on the principles of the UN Charter, as Nepal’s constitution stipulates that its foreign policy would be based on principles of the UN Charter, non-alignment, international laws and world peace. Nepal wants a peaceful and just world order for which Nepal has been actively and continuously contributing to UN peacekeeping missions in the world. Climate shock:- Nepal is one of the principal contributors of military and police personnel to the UN peace keeping missions in different trouble spots in the world. Similarly, Nepal has successfully led some UN special organs like ECOSOC and the LDC Group and twice served as a member of the UN Security Council. During the seven-decade journey with the UN, Nepal’s relationship and partnership have been marked by international laws and humanitarian norms. The 81st General Assembly is taking place in the aftermath of the devastating Himalayan floods that have caused enormous disaster in Nepal. This is a climate shock the Himalayas is facing, which is caused primarily by global warming. Nepal’s share of carbon emission is only 0.1 but ranks as one of the most climate vulnerable countries. In other words, Nepal is suffering due to others’ crimes. Against this backdrop, Nepal now needs to pursue climate diplomacy more actively in multi-lateral forums like UN and COP so that it gets more compensation from climate loss and damage fund not out of mercy but as a right. (The author is a former chief editor of this daily and a former ambassador. lamsalyubanath@gmail.com)