The reform process known formally as the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) has been virtually blocked over decades from proceeding by a determined minority that has stopped it from adopting a negotiating text
The Himalayas Need a Common Language of Warning: Emergency Cooperation Must be Institutionalised Into Durable Regional Architecture
A genuinely regional approach could eventually include - besides Nepal, China and India - Bhutan and, where relevant, downstream institutions in Bangladesh. Organisations with established Himalayan expertise, particularly the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development in Kathmandu, could offer scientific and institutional support.
The Himalayas are Sending a Warning: Need for Timely Trans-Border Sharing of Environmental Information
The Himalayas are not collapsing because humanity exists, but humanity is creating a warmer world in which the Himalayas are becoming less predictable. The real question is no longer whether climate change will alter the mountains. It already is.
When an Entire Village and Bazaar in Nepal Disappeared in an Instant
My eldest aunt was swept away. So was her son, my dai Madhu, and his wife. My other aunt — gone too, they told me. Her grandson Sijan and his wife, caught in the same water. His own son and daughter-in-law, unreachable, unaccounted for. My maternal uncle had gone out that morning to cut grass for the cattle. He never came back.
When the Mountain Moved: Nepal's Bhote Koshi Disaster and the Case for AI-Driven Early Warning
No technology can stop an avalanche. But the tragedy of events like Wednesday's is that the fatal interval between the trigger high in the mountains and the flood wave reaching villages downstream is often 20 minutes to a few hours. That window is exactly where artificial intelligence, coupled with sensors and satellites, earns its keep.
More on Climate, Sustainability and Energy
India considers Kashmir bilateral matter, turns down mediation offer, says UN chief in Pakistan
“From Pakistan, I am issuing a global appeal: stop the madness; end the war with nature; invest in renewable energy now”
UNSC reform process ‘took baby steps’ but didn’t meet expectations, says outgoing president Abdulla Shahid
A small group of countries, including Pakistan and Italy, who call themselves United for Consensus (UfC), have been blocking the adoption of a formal negotiating text or procedures for the negotiations and the labelling of some discussions as “unformals” is an apparent sop to them
China accused of ‘crimes against humanity' in a damning UN human rights report
Callamard said the report “lays bare the scale and severity of the human rights violations taking place in Xinjiang – which Amnesty International previously concluded amounted to crimes against humanity. There can be little doubt why the Chinese government fought so hard to pressure the UN to conceal it”
Pakistan doesn’t expect any better relations with India because of flood disaster
Pakistan's Finance Minister Miftah Ismail was reported as saying that Islamabad would consider importing vegetables from India given the devastation to Pakistan's agriculture
India warns of ‘significant increase’ in terrorist presence in Afghanistan, expresses concern over well-being of women and girls
“We join others in calling for the protection of the rights of women and girls, and to ensure that the long-fought gains of the last two decades are not reversed”, the Indian representative said.
Indian Army general takes command of UN’s largest peacekeeping operation in South Sudan
Lt Gen. Mohan Subramanian of India has taken over the command of the UN’s peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, the largest of its 13 global operations
UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy calls for increased support for Rohingya refugees and host communities during Bangladesh mission
"Generations could be affected if we fail in our obligation to protect the Rohingya and all the people of Myanmar, their fundamental rights and dignity,” Special Envoy Heyzer said
India breaks streak of UN abstentions on Ukraine, votes in opposition to Russia
Although this was the first time India had not abstained on a matter linked to Ukraine and voted with the West, a diplomatic source played down its significance
In implied criticism, India calls Russia's invasion of Ukraine ‘affront to common security’
In points aimed at Islamabad and Beijing, Kamboj said, “Common security is also only feasible when all countries stand together against common threats such as terrorism and do not engage in double standards while preaching otherwise”. India has accused Pakistan of sheltering terrorists and backing terrorist organisations, a charge also repeated by Kabul
India warns UN may face oblivion without reforms to make it relevant and 'truly representative
More than two decades of efforts to reform the Council which is stuck in the post-World War II structure have failed because of obstruction from a small number of countries led by Italy and including Pakistan
All communities must feel they are 'fairly represented': UN spokesperson on Kashmir vote
The move is controversial with some Kashmiri politicians strongly opposing it.
Grains exports from Ukraine to resume - one small win for UN, a big relief for food-insecure nations
“As we speak, more than 560,000 metric tonnes of grain and other food produced by Ukrainian farmers is making its way to markets around the world”, Guterres said
India deplores Chinese action in shielding Pakistani terrorist from sanctions
This was the second time in two months that China has moved to protect a Pakistani terrorist from sanctions. It vetoed a proposal in June to sanction Lashkar-e-Tayyiba leader Abdul Rehman Makki
Argentine appointed head of UN Kashmir observer group that India does not recognize
While India allows UNMOGIP to operate in the country in accordance with the Security Council mandate, it maintains that the operation is redundant
