Lumbini Development Trust greenlights project bypassing procurement laws

The Lumbini Development Trust has entered into an agreement with a private company, bypassing the public procurement regulations, for the excavation and construction of a stupa within Gautam Buddha’s ossuary mausoleum in the Nawalparasi Ramagrama area. 

The agreement includes the acquisition of 116 bighas of private land and a 99-year lease on 120 bighas. 

Lharkyal Lama, the Vice-chairperson of the trust, initiated the process despite reservations from the Department of Archaeology, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and the Ministry of Finance.

According to the terms of the agreement, the excavation of the ossuary and the construction of the stupa, Buddhist monasteries and other structures representing different countries will take place in Ramagrama. 

“To facilitate this, approximately 116 bighas of private land, 75  kathas of the land owned by the trust, and 10 kathas of land owned by the Department of Archaeology will be integrated and leased to the private company,” the trust says.

According to the agreement, the trust will be responsible for acquiring the land from locals, while the Moksha Foundation will unify it, and the Promised Land Pvt Ltd will manage it. 

The agreement was finalized without a competitive process among companies. The Moksha Foundation, reported to have an office in Singapore, is identified as the primary investor. The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 7bn.

Nikesh Adhikari, the owner of the Promised Land, is the son of Sharada Prasad Adhikari, the landlord of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s Khumaltar-based residence.

It is said though the project was in the pipeline for some years, progress was hindered due to a lack of transparency in investment. The project was greenlit after Lama assumed the position of Vice-chair of the trust on 6 Aug 2023.

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Lama is a controversial figure who in the past has been charged with various crimes, such as illegal possession of firearms, possession of dual citizenship and passport, and accumulation of illegal wealth. He is also a former lawmaker of the CPN (Maoist Center). 

On 12 Dec 2023, Prime Minister Dahal himself had laid the foundation stone for the stupa construction and excavation project at Ramagrama. The event, co-organized by the Promised Land and Ramagrama Municipality, saw the prime minister pledging to restore, conserve and develop the Ramagrama Stupa area.

Recent revelations indicate that the project is being initiated without following due procedure.

As per the agreement, the land in the Ramagrama area is leased until the year 2179 BS. Despite this, the agreement lacks clarity on how public land will be acquired and what preconditions will be set. This raises concerns about the transparency and legitimacy of the project.

In transactions involving public financial administration, obtaining prior consent from the Ministry of Finance is mandatory. For this project, the ministry expressed disagreement, citing the absence of a clear proposal regarding the investment reliability and background of the involved companies.

Additionally, the Department of Archaeology conveyed a letter to the Trust, emphasizing that no agreement should be made concerning heritage excavation and the construction of physical structures. As the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Archaeology expressed reservations, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation also advised the Trust against proceeding with the project. 

Gyanin Rai, the trust’s spokesperson, did not respond to the ApEx request for comment. Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati was also out of reach. 

Lama issued a statement late Monday, defending his involvement in the project. The statement reads, “Neither the Trust has the authority to acquire private lands, nor does the Trust have the funds to do so. No steps have been initiated regarding this project since I assumed the Office.” However, Lama did not respond to the ApEx request for comment.

Moksha Foundation had submitted a proposal on 21 April 2023 saying that they will partner with the Promised Land to invest in the project. The Promised Land also committed to guarantee the investment in a letter dated 30 April 2023.

According to Suresh Suras Shrestha, the head of the Culture Division at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the current situation warrants a halt in the process. 

“There were numerous issues in the proposal, and both the Department of Archaeology and the Ministry of Finance have advised against moving forward,” he says. “The ministry and the archaeology department will now engage in discussions to determine the next step.”

 

Anurag Kunwar: A big banner realistic villain

Anurag Kunwar, a versatile artist carving his niche in the Nepali film industry, is a testament to dedication and diverse roles. Despite a background in hotel management, his true passion lies in portraying multifaceted characters on the silver screen.

Having pursued an advanced diploma in hotel management (food and beverage) in Singapore, Kunwar embarked on his cinematic journey upon returning to Nepal. “I was in Singapore for around 4.5 years from 2001, but my desire to pursue a career in my own country led me to return to Nepal,” he says.

Despite his educational background in hotel management, Kunwar found his passion for cinema eclipsing his interest in the hospitality industry. “I wasn’t convinced by the Nepali hotel system. My thought process never aligned with the system, causing me to lose interest despite having an education in hotel management,” he says.

He first established a horse-riding company before movies. “I started Angel Horse and Stable Pvt Ltd in 2010 which provides horse riding and horse buggy services in Kathmandu,” he says. As most of Kunwar’s relatives are from the military and police backgrounds, he says he saw horse buggies during family weddings. “Horse buggies and horses fascinated me since my childhood, so I decided to set up my own horse-riding company,” he says.

Kunwar ventured into acting as a character of a villain in Sudarshan Thapa’s ‘K Yo Maya Ho’ in Aug 2011. His debut role was well-received by the audiences, which helped him find other film roles. His fascination with cinema was nurtured by his friends within the industry, who often remarked on his natural flair for acting. “Sudarshan Thapa who gave me my first acting job is a dear friend,” says Kunwar.

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The next movie Kunwar did was ‘Facebook’ in Sept 2012. In 2015, the two movies were released—‘My Promise’ and ‘Woda Number 6’. He then went on to do ‘Raato Ghar’ (2017), ‘A Mero Hajur 2’ (2017), ‘Shatru Gate’ and ‘Chhakka Panja 3’ in 2018. This year Kunwar had two releases, ‘Chhakka Panja 4’ and ‘Ek Bhagavad Ra Ek Gita’. In most of the movies he has done so far, he has been cast as an antagonist.

Reflecting on his movie choices, Kunwar says he gives a lot of thoughts on the character and team dynamics. “The primary factor for me is the ability to justify the character,” he says. “Of course, the cast and crew also play a huge part. They form the backbone of any cinematic endeavor. It’s a collective effort.” Kunwar says.

While remaining tight-lipped about his upcoming projects, Kunwar reveals the completion of the film ‘Hridaya Bhari’,  which is currently in its post-production phase.

“As an actor, I constantly seek diverse roles that allow me to explore new dimensions, ones that the audience may not be familiar with,” Kunwar says. He says he seeks roles that challenge societal norms and intends to delve into characters that mirror his own reserved persona, aiming to unravel unexplored facets through his performances.

“Revisiting my past performances fuels my determination to continually improve as an actor,” he says. “It also motivates me to work with more passion and determination in the next projects.” 

In Nepal, only five percent of the total population watch Nepali cinemas. Kunwar says there is disparity between local and international cinema viewership. “While Hollywood and Bollywood movies often draw audiences despite negative reviews, Nepali cinema faces a different scenario.” 

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He says that even with positive reviews, Nepali audiences sometimes hesitate to visit theaters to watch Nepali films. He suggests Nepali viewers to offer local cinema the benefit of the doubt and consider watching it if the reviews are promising. “By being open to supporting Nepali films based on positive feedback, audiences can contribute significantly to the growth of the local film industry,” he says.

“A positive aspect in our industry is the continued production of Nepali cinemas, ensuring that the industry remains active,” he however says a concerning trend arises from filmmakers who create movies without adequate groundwork and preparation. “This lack of thorough planning ultimately affects the quality of the films, consequently dissatisfying the audiences.” 

He also says that it is crucial for filmmakers to prioritize proper research, pre-production work, and meticulous planning to deliver content that resonates positively with the audience and contributes to the growth of Nepali cinema.

Offering advice to aspiring industry entrants, Kunwar stresses the need for comprehensive industry understanding and highlights the industry’s financial instability as a critical factor. “The issue at hand is that Nepali celebrities often compare themselves to Bollywood celebrities without acknowledging the vast difference in market size,” he says. “It’s essential to understand that Nepali cine market is significantly smaller in comparison. While the actor should draw comparisons in terms of acting skills and performance, it’s unrealistic to equate our market volume and payment structures with Bollywood’s.”

Crawling fast track (With Photos)

I have closely followed the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track national pride project for over two years. Whenever I’ve inquired about the project with the Nepali Army, which is responsible for its execution, they assert that everything is on track. However, the actual on-site progress tells a different story.

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Since the government entrusted the project to the army six years ago, the deadline has been extended four times. The most recent deadline is set for April 2027. But the progress of the fast track stands at a mere 28.56 percent, with financial progress at 29.44 percent.

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During my recent visit to the site, my primary focus was on the tunnels. I visited the construction site of three tunnels—Mahadevtar, Dhedre, and Lendanda. Work on three other tunnels has yet to start.

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Currently, out of the total 6.415 km length of three tunnels, 3.592 km has been completed, marking a progress rate of 56 percent. This might be a hopeful sign.

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Army messes up Fast Track project

Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) Prabhu Ram Sharma has indicated that the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track will fail to meet its latest deadline of April 2027. Addressing queries from lawmakers during the State Affairs Committee meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Sharma acknowledged that by the next deadline, the most achievable target will be to blacktop the road from Kathmandu to Nijgadh. “Even accomplishing that much would signify success,” he said, further noting, “It will require an additional 2/3 years to achieve 100 percent project completion.”

Sharma placed blame on the government and lawmakers for the national pride project’s delay, emphasizing the necessity of updating the existing laws to clear the hurdles blocking the project’s progress. He also cited an example where despite his nine-month-old request, the prime minister and defense minister are yet to give a go-ahead to remove four trees essential for the construction work. “I’m not pointing my finger at anyone; it’s just that these are the laws you’ve made,” he told the MPs.

Sharma also highlighted that stringent environmental protection laws established in the past are now impeding development. “Without amendments to these laws, completing any project in Nepal, not only the fast track, will be challenging.”

Members of the State Affairs Committee had expressed dissatisfaction with the limited progress of the fast track and sought an update from the army chief. Rajendra Pandey, a lawmaker from CPN (Unified Socialist), criticized the unsatisfactory progress of the expressway. He said that the project was entrusted to the army with the expectation of swift completion.

Latest progress

According to the Nepali Army, the physical progress of this project has reached 28.56 percent, while the financial progress stands at 29.44 percent. In the ongoing fiscal year, the physical progress has increased to 32.66 percent, while the financial progress remains at 10.8 percent.

The construction has been segmented into a total of 13 packages. Currently, work on seven packages is in progress, the procurement process for five packages is ongoing, and one package remains stalled in the disputed Khokana area where work has not started.

The total length of the track construction in progress stands at 44.627 km. Additionally, the length of the segments that are in the procurement process is 19.85 km. The Khokana land dispute area constitutes a stretch of 6.5 km.

The construction site of three tunnels—Mahadevtar, Dhedre, and Lendanda out of six tunnels are in progress. Work on three other tunnels has yet to start.

Currently, out of the total 6.415 km length of three tunnels, 3.592 km has been completed, marking a progress rate of 56 percent. This might be a hopeful sign. 

A total of 89 bridges covering a length of 12.885 km are slated for construction as part of the project, out of which five have already been completed. Among the remaining, 62 bridges are under construction, and procurement processes are underway for the 23 bridges while four bridges fall within the Khokana section with no progress.

Nepali youths at COP28

The Global Climate Change Conference, COP28, started on Nov 29 and concluded on Dec 12. With 84,000 registered attendees, this year’s COP proved successful in terms of participation. Throughout COP28, Nepal, chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), underscored the pressing need for dialogue concerning mountain and climate change issues. 

The Nepali Pavilion took an active role by hosting a minimum of five sideline events daily. The conference had an estimated 250 Nepali delegates, half of whom were youths, actively engaging in the conference. Pratik Ghimire of ApEx interviewed three such youths to gather insights into their COP28 experiences.

Pratima Khadgi

As a representative of UNDP Nepal, I played diverse roles during the initial phase of COP28. My active involvement in event management bolstered UNDP’s presence and ensured smooth operations. I fervently advocated for youth engagement in climate action at the international pavilion, enhancing Nepal’s global visibility.

Participating in various sessions provided me with an understanding of climate change from different perspectives. Discussions on climate financing complexities underscored its pivotal role in fostering sustainable initiatives. This experience significantly improved my understanding and reinforced my determination to tackle climate challenges.

I engaged wholeheartedly in COP28 discussions, leaving the event enriched with valuable insights and a renewed dedication to champion environmental causes.

Shreya KC

This being my fourth COP, I’m familiar with the decision-making processes and the roles of civil society, youth, and most affected countries. Yet, sitting in the closing plenary, I can’t ignore the doubts about the legitimacy of processes that allow a few countries to overpower many voices, consistently sidelining the most vulnerable. This space repeatedly excludes them.

While I’m inspired by fellow passionate youth, this experience has taken a toll on my mental health and physical well-being. Leading youth engagement in the global stocktake process kept me occupied amid late-night discussions. I was stressed but hopeful for meaningful outcomes.

The final global stocktake result falls short, acknowledging urgency without a clear roadmap. Notably, fossil fuel lobbyists increased significantly, but I found inspiration in Small Island Developing States (SIDs) pushing for more ambitious outcomes.

Prakriti Koirala

This marks my third COP attendance, where I’ve consistently participated as a negotiator under the ‘Party’ badge. In previous COPs, my primary focus was on engaging in loss and damage (L&D) negotiations. But, this time, at the request of the LDCs chair, I took on the responsibility of organizing events in the LDC pavilion. While my previous experiences largely centered on the negotiation process, this new engagement in event organization provided me with a unique and enriching learning experience. 

I had the opportunity to participate as a speaker and panelist in various events as well.

Although there’s room for improvement, I’m pleased with the progress made on our major agendas this year, particularly the establishment of the L&D fund and addressing mountainous agendas.

I’m also thrilled about the increased youth involvement. Their active participation in protests, negotiations, and other events is a promising indication that the younger generation is taking climate change seriously. Additionally, I’ve established valuable networks during this COP, fostering connections that could lead to fruitful collaborations in the future.

A visual odyssey of Dubai’s vibrant charms (Photo Feature)

At the heart of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where the desert meets the sea, resides a city that embodies luxury, innovation, and limitless exploration. Against the backdrop of the Global Climate Conference, COP28, Dubai revealed its multifaceted allure, beckoning both delegates and visitors to explore its vibrant tapestry.

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Venturing beyond the conference precincts, I embarked on an excursion through Dubai, a diverse fusion of cultural heritage and contemporary extravagance. The city unveiled a myriad of experiences, each more thrilling than the last.

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From the awe-inspiring views during a lavish yacht party, where the shimmering skyline mirrored the bright-black sky above, to the adrenaline-pumping adventure of a desert safari, navigating golden dunes under the Arabian sun, each moment was filled with excitement.

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The sun-drenched beaches welcomed guests with their flawless sands and azure waters, offering a tranquil escape amidst the city’s bustling energy. As night descended, Dubai’s nightlife lit up the sky, casting an enchanting ambiance over the lively streets and bustling venues.

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Through my camera lens, I captured Dubai’s essence—a blend of tradition and modernity, where ancient heritage harmonizes seamlessly with futuristic marvels. Each photo encapsulates the spirit of adventure, luxury, and cultural opulence that defines this extraordinary city.

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Every image of Dubai tells a story of marvel and indulgence, creating a vibrant tapestry of experiences waiting to be discovered.

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A city for COP28 (Photo Feature)

Dubai: The 28th global climate conference (COP28) is currently underway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and will go on till Dec 12. It’s being held at Expo City—a cutting-edge venue designed to champion sustainability and circularity principles. This purpose-built city spans 4.38 sq km and offers an enhanced quality of life for its visitors, featuring top-tier events.

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Expo City in Dubai is segregated into two zones for COP28—the Blue Zone, accessible to accredited party and observer delegates conducting formal negotiations—and the Green Zone, serving as a platform for activists to share their climate projects and stories on a global scale.

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With a record-breaking 84,000 registered attendees, this year’s COP marks a significant contrast from its modest beginnings in Berlin in 1995, which had fewer than 4,000 delegates. Last year’s COP27 in Egypt attracted around 50,000 visitors, further highlighting the growth and importance of this global event.

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During COP28, Nepal, chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), emphasized the urgent need for dialogue on mountain and climate change issues. They advocated for fair grants to address the climate crisis and stressed the necessity for a predictable, simplified, and sufficient Loss and Damage Fund tailored to LDCs and mountainous countries.

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The Nepali Pavilion has been actively engaged in hosting at least five sideline events daily, with an estimated 250 Nepali delegates participating in the conference.

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The conference commenced with a landmark agreement on establishing a loss and damage fund, aimed at assisting developing countries in managing the repercussions of climate change—an agreement reached on the inaugural day of the event. 

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Nepal’s resolute call for climate action at COP28

Dubai: Nepal has put forth its key climate priorities at the global climate conference COP28 being held at Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

In several platforms, high-level government officials, including Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal stated that developed countries’ pledges and actions do not correspond with each other and they must raise their ambitions and urgently fulfill their commitments.

Nepal also urged the developed countries to scale up climate finance to make up for the $100bn shortfall and double the adaptation finance by 2025, and ensure fair financial arrangements without conditions, constraints, and compliances. 

Nepal, as the chair of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), said the loss and damage fund must be predictable, simplified, and adequate for LDCs and mountainous countries. The Global Stocktake (GST) report must give a clear roadmap to all, and every country must act in solidarity with urgency, demanded Nepal. Nepal also emphasized the necessity of initiating a dialogue on mountain and climate change. In a positive development, COP28 has launched a Loss and Damage Fund. 

Prime Minister Dahal, while addressing the opening of ‘National Statements,’a high-level segment of COP28, demanded a six-point list. He conveyed to the global community that Nepal, despite playing a minimal role in greenhouse gas emissions, is among the most severely affected by climate change.

“I bring a message from 30m Nepalis to this conference, crystal clear: Our mountains endure the torment of escalating temperatures. Their preservation is paramount—save them first!” stressed Dahal. Highlighting the significance of the Himalayas, he said, “These mountains serve as the bedrock of human civilizations, ecosystems, and biodiversity. They provide essential global services to people and the planet, serving as the lifeblood for billions of individuals downstream.”

Dahal reaffirmed Nepal’s dedication to the Paris Agreement, stating, “We are resolutely committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, five years ahead of the global target.”

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A report recently published by the UN Climate Change shows that national climate action plans (known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs) would collectively lower greenhouse gas emissions to two percent below 2019 levels by 2030, while the science is clear that a 43 percent reduction is needed.

The GST must be a catalyst for greater ambition in meeting the Paris Agreement’s goals as nations prepare to submit revised national climate action plans by 2025. It lays out actions on how to accelerate emissions cuts, strengthen resilience to climate impacts, and provide the support and finance needed for the transformation.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres also prominently highlighted Nepal in his addresses.

“Just days ago, I was on the melting ice of Antarctica. Not long before, I witnessed the melting glaciers of Nepal. Despite the vast distance between these two locations, they are united in facing a common crisis,” he said.

Nepal also organized a high-level roundtable discussion, titled ‘Call of mountains: Who saves us from the climate crisis’ chaired by Prime Minister Dahal. 

During his address in the roundtable, he said, “While mountains matter for identity and dignity, ecological and environmental integrity, and humanity, Nepal hosts the highest place in the world, Mt Everest, and is facing the crisis posed by climate change, more and more than others.” 

Dahal further said that climate change impacts, irrespective of color, castes, and social wellbeing of the people, and also the economic condition of the countries, it affects disproportionately.

The roundtable was held with the aim to protect and promote the mountains, mountain civilization, mountain ecosystems, and inhabitants of mountains and seeks to garner collaboration and solidarity to tackle the common challenges posed by climate change in the mountains. 

“Together, we can reach far and accomplish more in our journey of climate justice. It is with absolute confidence that Nepal has hosted this event to pave the way for advanced solutions for the mountains and people living there,” Dahal said. “I strongly recommend the necessity of initiating a dialogue on mountain and climate change to realize the grief of the mountainous communities, find possible solutions, and bring them out of trouble.”

Prime Minister of Andorra Xavier Espot Zamora, UN Secretary General Guterres, and representatives from mountainous countries Kyrgyz Republic, Bhutan, Slovenia, Montenegro including representatives from United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and climate analytics were present.

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Guterres expressed his deep concern, stating, “It is profoundly alarming to observe the rapid melting of Nepal’s mountains. Hearing firsthand from local communities about the devastating impact on their lives is deeply distressing.”

“Nepal, along with other vulnerable mountainous nations, is bearing the brunt of a crisis not of their making. Over just 30 years, the country has lost nearly a third of its ice, a direct consequence of greenhouse gas pollution warming our planet. This loss results in swollen lakes and rivers that flood, washing away entire communities,” he emphasized. 

The UN secretary-general warned that without a change in course, catastrophic consequences loom. 

“The glaciers face the risk of complete disappearance, leading to significantly reduced flows in major Himalayan rivers such as the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra, along with the decimation of deltas by encroaching saltwater.”

Highlighting the urgent need for collaboration between governments, countries, and corporations to curb emissions, Guterres stressed the importance of protecting everyone on Earth with an effective early warning system by 2027. He singled out Nepal as a crucial candidate for implementing such a system, stating, “The mountains are signaling a distress call. COP28 must respond with a rescue plan. Let us collectively devote our efforts to ensure that actionable steps emerge from the COP.”

Prime Minister Dahal expressed his satisfaction following Guterres’ mention of Nepal during the high-level meetings. “In his opening speech, Guterres highlighted Nepal and Antarctica, which brings us immense joy,” he remarked.

Speaking at the Nepal Pavilion in COP28, Dahal emphasized that the concerns and priorities of Nepal and other mountainous nations have now become integral to global agendas.

Dahal urged the Nepali delegation to actively engage in bilateral and multilateral discussions, as well as sideline meetings throughout the conference, stressing their paramount importance.

He also underlined the role of Nepali youths in addressing the climate crisis. “Our young generation possesses significant potential and should assertively advocate for climate justice.”

Nepal has been organizing various events at its pavilion including ‘Financing Nepal’s NDC implementation plan’, ‘Putting health at center of climate action’, and ‘L&D and resilient recovery: What Nepal needs’ among others. Nepalis participating at COP28 have also been actively engaged at the sideline events organized by pavilions of other countries and organizations.

Nepal’s six-point demand at COP28

  • Developed countries’ pledges and actions do not correspond with each other. They must raise their ambitions and fulfill their commitments urgently.
  • They must scale up climate finance to make up for the $100bn shortfall and double the adaptation finance by 2025, and ensure fair financial arrangements without conditions, constraints, and compliances.
  • We demand grants as our justice to address this crisis.  
  • The loss and damage Fund must be predictable, simplified, and adequate for LDCs and mountainous countries.
  • The GST report must give a clear roadmap to all, and we must act in solidarity with urgency.
  • The necessity of initiating a dialogue on mountain and climate change.

Climate action gains momentum, but falls short of critical targets

Businesses, investors, cities, states, and regions are increasingly taking action on climate change, yet the pace and scale of these efforts fall short of what’s necessary to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as highlighted in the 2023 edition of the Yearbook of Global Climate Action released during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28).

“Acceleration of climate action is imperative across the board. Comprehensive transformation of systems, encompassing energy, transportation, our interaction with nature, and societal structures, is crucial to swiftly curbing emissions and fostering resilience,” said Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of UN Climate Change. “Enhanced collaboration between Parties and non-Party stakeholders presents an opportunity for significant advancements towards our shared climate objectives.”

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The 2023 Yearbook, the seventh installment in the series, has presented an overview of the progress, trends, and challenges pertaining to tangible climate action undertaken by non-party stakeholders.

The report has highlighted that the Global Climate Action Portal—a platform monitoring worldwide climate initiatives—now boasts over 32,000 registered participants, signifying a six percent increase from the 2022 figures and nearly sixfold growth since 2015. However, gaps persist, both in terms of broadening the geographical coverage and scope of climate action within the portal itself, and in the diversity of solutions pursued by non-party stakeholders.

“Efficient implementation, aligned with achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, stands as our collective objective, guided by the principles of climate justice. The global stocktake presents an opportunity for united progress,” the book includes.

Key messages

  • Climate action needs to align with the goal of keeping the 1.5 degrees Celsius climate-resilient world within reach.
  • The opportunities to accelerate climate action exist, but need to be scaled up.
  • Non-party stakeholders are key partners in ramping up climate action and ambition.
  • Credibility of action and commitments of non-party stakeholders need to be systematically ensured.
  • International cooperation across sectors and actors—guided by the principle of climate justice—is instrumental in systems-transformation.
  • Climate action should not be siloed.
  • Fair finance flows are needed now.