International Relation and Nepal

United Nations Mission in Nepal

The UNMIN was established to help the peace process in Nepal. The UNMIN, the political mission was established on 23rd January 2007 A.D. under the leadership of Mr. Lan Martin. It stayed and helped Nepal for 4 years to establish permanent peace in Nepal. Its function came to and end on 15th January 2011 A.D. during the tenure of Karin Landgren. UNMIN is one of the missions sent by UNO for the restoration of peace and order in Nepal.

Roles played by UNMIN in Nepal

i) It played a vital role in managing arms and personnel of Maoist established in cantonment camps in various parts of the country.

ii. It continued its supervision to the activities of Maoist armies and armies of Nepal government and their weapons stored in several cantonments and Nepal’s armies Chhauni Barrack.

iii) It played a great role to be the mediator between Maoist and government of Nepal to restore permanent peace in Nepal.

iv) It contributed for certifying and qualifying the Maoist army which helped to initiate the peace process in Nepal.

v) It tried its best to aware the Nepalese people about the activities of peace process of the country through its radio program “Voice of UNMIN”

The other remarkable works of the UNMIN are as follows:

i) Monitor the management of arms and armed personnel of the Nepal Army and the Maoist army, in line with the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

ii) Assist the parties through a Joint Monitoring Coordinating Committee in implementing their agreement on the management of arms and armed personnel

iii) Assist in the monitoring of ceasefire arrangements

iv) Provide technical assistance to the Election Commission in the planning, preparation, and conduct of the election of a constituent assembly in a free and fair atmosphere.

v) It was expected that the mission would be liquidated in July 2009.to plan for this, UNMIN has gone two significant downsizing exercises, in July 2008 and January 2009. Staff strength has been reduced from 883 in January 2008, to 324 in October 2008 and 202 in July 2009. UNMIN also closed its five regional offices in July 2008.

vi) The special Representatives of the Secretary- General leading the mission prior to the 2009 mandate renewal was Lan Martin. He gave his final briefing to the security council in January 2009 and was replaced by Karin Landgren. In 2009, the mandate was renewed, but with a phased withdrawal of UNMIN staff, in line with a report by the Secretary-General. In passing Resolution 1909 (2010), the Security council hoped to end UNMIN by May 15, 2010.

vii) UNMIN ceased operation on January 15, 2011.

UNO in Nepal

The United Nations is an international founded in 1945 after the second world war by 51 countries committed maintaining international; peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standard, and human rights. At present, it has 193 nations and its member. Its latest member nation is Montenegro. The general assembly first met in London on January 10, 1946. It decided to locate the UN headquarters in the east United States.

Due to its unique international character, and the powers vested in its founding charter, the organization can take action on a wide range of issues, and provides a forum for its 193 member states to express their views through the general assembly, the security council, the economic and social council and other bodies and committees.

The work of united nations reaches every corner of the globe. Although best known for peacekeeping, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and humanitarian assistance, there are many other ways the United Nations and its system affect our lives and make the world a better place. Nepal got the membership of UNO on 15th Dec. 1955 A.D. Since then she has agreed and signed the UN charter, treaties, commitment, resolution and agreements. The specialized agencies of UNO are actively working for the welfare of Nepal and its citizen. It has been providing financial, technical and other required assistant to promote and develop education, health, transport, communication, power etc.it has been supporting Nepal to preserve the natural means and resources. It has been carrying out various plans to solve the problems prevailing in various societies of Nepal through its specialized agencies. It has been launching various plans and policies to raise the living standard of women, Dalit, indigenous tribes, physically retarded persons and helpless people in Nepal since its establishment.

Latest member states of UNO

Montenegro is the 192rd member of the United Nations Organization. Now, UNO has total 193 members including the latest member nation Montenegro and Southern Sudan. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was admitted as a member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution on 1st November 2000. On 4th February 2003, following the adoption and promulgation of the constitutional charter of Serbia and Montenegro by the Assembly of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia “was changed to Serbia and Montenegro.” In a letter of date 3rd June 2006, the president of the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro was being continued by the republic of Serbia, following Montenegro’s declaration of independence. Montenegro held a referendum on 21st May 2006 and declared its independence from Serbia on 3rd June 2006, it was accepted as the United Nations member State by the General Assembly.

The South Asian Association for Regional cooperation(SAARC)

The SAARC was officially established on December 8, 1985, for maintaining mutual cooperation among the South Asian countries. It is a non-political and regional organization comprised of seven members of the South Asian region earlier. Afghanistan joined the organization as the 8th member. So, now this organization has 8 member nations. Currently, SAARC has 9 observers. The logo of this organization was designed by Sailendra Maharjan, a citizen of Nepal. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are the member nations of SAARC. Australia, China, European Union, Iran, Japan, Mauritius, Myanmar, South Korea and the United States are the nine observers of SAARC.

Organizational Structure of SAARC

i. Meeting of the heads of States of government.
ii. Council of Ministers.
iii. Standing Committee.
iv. Technical committee.
v. Action Committee.
vi. Secretariat.

Objectives of SAARC

i) To promote the welfare of the people of south Asian countries and develop their living standard and quality of life.

ii)To accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunities to live in dignity.

iii)To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia.

iv)To cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes.

v)To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another’s problems.

vi) To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interest.

vii) To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in economic, social, cultural, technical, and scientific fields etc.

SAARC Secretariat

The SAARC Secretariat is the chief administrative body of SAARC which was established in Kathmandu on 16 January 1987. It coordinates and monitors the implementations of SAARC activities, services and the meeting of the Association and serves as the channel of communication between SAARC and other international organizations. The Secretariat comprises the Secretary General, seven Directors, and the general Services staff. The detail of its official and working divisions responsible for areas of work can be viewed under respective links. The chief administrator of SAARC is the General Secretary who is appointed by the council of Ministers for two years. India is the largest country to provide fund required for this organization. About 30% of the fund is given by India. The given table shows the General Secretaries of SAARC along with their respective countries and tenure of office.

SAARC Summits

1. First SAARC Summit, Dhaka, 1985
2. Second SAARC Summit, Bangalore, 1986
3. Third SAARC Summit, Kathmandu, 1987
4. Fourth Summit, Islamabad, 1988
5. Fifth SAARC Summit, Male', 1990
6. Sixth SAARC Summit, Colombo, 1991
7. Seventh SAARC Summit. Dhaka, 1993
8. Eighth SAARC Summit, New Delhi 1995
9. Ninth SAARC Summit, Male', 1997
10.Tenth SAARC Summit, Colombo, 1998
11. Eleventh SAARC Summit, Kathmandu, 2002
12. Twelfth SAARC Summit, Islamabad, 2004
13. Thirteenth SAARC Summit, Dhaka, 2005
14. Fourteenth SAARC Summit, New Delhi, 2007
15. Fifteenth SAARC Summit, Colombo, 2008
16. Sixteenth SAARC Summit, Thimphu, 2010
17. Seventeenth SAARC Summit, Addu City, 2011
18. Eighteenth SAARC Summit, Kathmandu, 2014.