Kathmandu. Many dimensions and practices of diplomacy have been adopted in the world. Although foreign policy is not static and changes from government to government, the dimensions of diplomacy change according to time, situation, subject matter and national interest and need. Diplomacy is the foreign policy of any country, especially in foreign and foreign relations, and it is mainly formulated and mobilized according to the interest of the nation. It is influenced by time and circumstances, but not outside the national interest.

At this time, Nepal needs to adopt climate diplomacy by making similar changes in the dimension of diplomacy. Labor, energy, and money are also new diplomatic exercises that we have been doing in recent years. Now it is more necessary to add climate and widen its diplomatic scope.

Climate diplomacy is about informing the world community about the impact, impact and damage caused by climate change and establishing its rights before the world for justice. The objective of this diplomacy should be to make diplomatic initiatives with the world community in a way that is in the national interest by preparing authentic facts and criteria about Nepal’s contribution to the impact of climate change and what is the impact on us.

When we get closer to its reality, we get an account of how much damage climate change is causing us. If we measure the amount of carbon emissions that are considered to be the main factors for the effects of climate change, then it does not matter whether it is from our side. However, we have almost come to the forefront of the world in dealing with climate related risks. We have many examples of this and the latest examples are the Bhotekoshi disaster, the floods of Budhigandaki, etc.

We are actually suffering from poison that has not been eaten. If we have no contribution to the cause, then we are forced to face the consequences. So, will we get compensation or not? Forced to bear such a calamity, we now have to stand in the world justice forum with our evidence and authentic basis. Advocating this debate and plea for justice in the world forum including the United Nations is the skill of climate diplomacy.

The more we suffer from disasters such as floods, landslides, glacial lake explosions, droughts, fires, temperature rise and glacial melting, the more our diplomatic claws should be strengthened. This diplomacy should not be limited to informing the international community and seeking relief. It should be raised above our traditional diplomatic work.

Nepal should now collect a scientific and evidence-based record of the damage and present it in the international forum. For this, a permanent mechanism should be created to record the human, economic, infrastructural, environmental and non-economic damage in each major flood, landslide, glacial lake explosion or glacial event separately and the process of investigation should be strengthened. Then we should put forward the fact that we need justice, not aid. We have to gather the necessary authentic facts to clearly draw a link between the damage that weak countries like Nepal are suffering due to developed and high carbon emitting countries. And then advocacy is also diplomatic skill.

To lobby on this issue globally, we can also move forward in a united way by forming a common front of the Himalayan countries that are at risk of geography and damage like ours. If Nepal raises its voice alone and that voice is heard a little less internationally, then a diplomatic alliance should be formed with a common platform of such countries. We can take forward the common demand by collaborating with the Himalayan Hind Kush as well as mountainous and small island countries.

The world community should be made aware that the melting of glaciers, glacial lake bursts, mountain soil erosion and excessive rainfall affect the water, food security and economy of not only Nepal but the entire South Asia. Nepal can lead this and strong diplomatic efforts are needed for this.

A long-term national climate diplomacy strategy can be formulated by coordinating with the Ministries of Agriculture, Forest and Environment and the Ministry of Finance, the National Planning Commission, the Disaster Management Bodies, universities and research institutions to ensure that the government does not change with change and is not just the job of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The multidimensional forms of foreign relations and diplomacy are expanding and expanding in different geographies and regions of the world. Now, with the development of new dimensions in the world, efforts are also being made to widen the scope of traditional diplomacy. Due to the uniqueness of our geographical location and geopolitical environment, we should also develop and expand the dimensions of diplomacy according to the times.

For Nepal, it is very important for us to spread climate diplomacy in the coming days. We should not stop talking about the impact of climate change on us in the regional, international or world forums that we find a place. It is only through our voice that we put in these places that our problems and situation can reach the world world. Similarly, we should not hesitate to put forth our views on this issue in any meaningful bilateral meetings and talks.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also visited Nepal three years ago and visited the Himalayan region. He himself had given a message on social media that if the mountains of Nepal continue to melt, then the condition of the next generation cannot be said. After that visit, the COP conference was held in the UAE. There he showed about the situation of Nepal. It is also an important dimension of climate diplomacy that the Secretary General of the United Nations has given such a message to the world community about our situation and problems. Not only this, what benefit have we been able to take from the discussion about Nepal in front of the world community?

Our voice has reached the world stage, but have we been addressed accordingly or not? This is the climate diplomacy that needs to be pursued. Climate diplomacy is the ability to raise our voice diplomatically for the issues and causes we are suffering from and to be able to advocate strongly for the situation in favor of the victims.

Nepal has not only shown its presence in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on this issue but has also claimed its rights. Nepal appeared in the court about two years ago and sought justice regarding the impact of climate change and the compensation to be received by Nepal. This is also the first time that Nepal has presented its claim for climate justice by appearing in the International Court of Justice.

It is well known that countries like Nepal are in trouble due to carbon emissions by the rich and developed countries of the world. How unfair is it that a country which has no contribution as a cause of climate change is suffering the same unnatural impact now? Nepal has been presenting an example of being in such a double whammy in international forums.

We have to raise this issue through climate diplomacy. We have to put our problems, needs and compulsions firmly in front of the international community. We should be able to demonstrate diplomatic skills in favor of our rights by establishing aspects of our national interests nationwide. We also have the ability of climate diplomacy. Our diplomatic strength is dialogue and power of persuasion. We should be able to use and use this weapon of diplomacy as much as possible. This is also the expectation from the Climate Diplomacy Branch that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently established.

Ekraj Pathak