However, in other valued and significant activities of UN, Nepal hardly has any role. Its activities thus appear lopsided and, naturally, this reflects the poor imagination and dearth of ideas on the part of the Nepali diplomats associated with and involved in the businesses of the UN system. No pro-active initiatives have so far been taken for Nepal’s participation in other programs and undertakings of UN in which Nepal will unquestionably be able to contribute a lot. Nepal’s current activities in the UN are below par and does not befit its size. Hence, search for some newer activities need to be initiated as soon as possible.
Nepal’s current activities in the UN are below par and does not befit its size.
Observers of Nepal’s diplomacy have noted that in recent years Nepal has been dispatching a host of delegates to New York without giving any proper reason and justification. The number exceeds several times than what is needed, thus unscrupulously spending a huge sum of money from the cash-starved state coffer. The government could have instead sent young and qualified people to the UN for they could have come back with useful ideas and, with age on their side, served the country for a long time.
Justice can never be dispensed by sending people who are neither qualified, nor inclined to learn something valuable from the UN system. Those political favorites would do nothing other than revel in the magnificent city of New York. This practice must, therefore, end immediately. We have to start sending young, qualified and energetic people to participate in the annual general session starting on the third Tuesday of September each year to benefit from it.
The UN has already achieved universality with 192 countries associating with it but Nepal lags far behind in its participation in the diplomatic activities of the UN that is spread worldwide. Meanwhile, young men and women of far more smaller and weaker countries have got umpteen opportunities and occasions to rise and shine by working in the UN system. Nepal’s diplomatic agents in New York hardly take note of such omissions despite having enough time and opportunity to work towards this end. We understand that Nepali diplomats become busy during the annual general session from September to December. However, during the rest of the year, instead of becoming lethargic, they can carry out such tasks. If every member state can do so, why should our mission in New York remain passive?
Having made the above point, it must also be mentioned that Nepal had been very active in working and contributing for the landlocked and least developed countries of the world in the sixties, seventies and eighties. On several occasions, Nepal had worked as spokesperson for all those less fortunate people and countries. After a long hiatus, this time Nepal is once again set to become the chairman of the group of landlocked and least developed countries of the world. This will give us a reason to celebrate and forget Nepal’s failed bid for a non-permanent seat in the Security Council in 2006.
The upcoming visit of Prime Minister (PM) Madhav Kumar Nepal to the UN could certainly be an opportune moment to enhance Nepal’s participation in UN activities. For this to happen, a rock solid preparation is a must.
Nepal is also yet to find a befitting place, commensurate with its contributions in maintaining security in various troubled parts of the world, in the Peace Building Commission. We should push hard for it.
PM Nepal is scheduled to meet and interact with President Barack Obama of the United States on the sidelines of the General Assembly in New York. This diplomatically-significant event should also be used by our PM to to further the country’s image.
(Writer is former joint secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.)
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