UNEP

Addressing the Global Consequences of Glacier Melt

By Johana Rai,Chief reporters of UNEP,TES News

Kathmandu,August,28

The first day of the final session of TESMUN 2024 in the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) committee kicked off with a roll call, setting the stage for a day focused on critical environmental issues. The General Speakers’ List (GSL) opened with the delegate of Russia (Riva Mainali), who initiated the discussion on the topic, "Global Impact on Sea Level Rise, Thermal Expansion, and Coastal Communities Due to Glacier Melt in the Himalayan Range." This topic underscored the pressing concern of glacier melt, not only in the Himalayas but also its cascading effects on global sea levels, regional flooding, and the survival of vulnerable coastal communities worldwide.

Following Russia's GSL, the delegates of France (Aryana Ranjeet), the USA (Nilima Khadka), North Korea (Prajjwal Raj Shakya), Bangladesh (Kusum Shrestha), the Philippines (Nipuna Raj Pandey), and Afghanistan (Nishchit Shrestha) contributed their perspectives, intensifying the debate. The committee quickly became animated as delegates exchanged pointed questions, sharp rebuttals, and accusations, reflecting the urgency of the topic.

The delegate of Norway (Saugat Neupane) made a particularly strong impact by highlighting Nepal’s responsibility in the crisis. He challenged the delegate of Nepal by saying, “The delegate of Nepal claimed they are not at fault since they are a landlocked country. However, Nepal’s significant contribution to the melting of glaciers through activities that cause flooding and avalanches suggests otherwise. How can the delegate claim innocence while contributing to the problem?”

As time became a constraint, the committee transitioned into a moderated caucus. The topic proposed by the delegate of France (Aryana Ranjeet), “The Environmental and Economic Consequences of Excess Glacier Melt,” passed with a majority vote. This shift allowed for a more focused debate on how excess glacier melt not only threatens ecosystems but also affects economies dependent on stable environmental conditions.

In the second half of the session, the UNEP committee faced an unexpected crisis. A report emerged implicating the delegates of Iran (Niken Maharjan), Ukraine (Prasiddha Thapa), and Nepal (Grishma Shrestha) in illegal mining operations in Nepal, allegedly funded by Iran and Ukraine. This development introduced a new layer of complexity, further heightening tensions.

The crisis quickly centered on the delegate of Ukraine (Prasiddha Thapa), who faced an onslaught of accusations from multiple delegates. However, the atmosphere was more subdued compared to the earlier lively debates during the GSL and moderated caucus.

Once again, the delegate of Norway (Pripson Regmi) stood out by raising a crucial point, questioning the Nepalese government’s responsibility: “Why did the delegate of Nepal allow such activities in their country? Does the Nepalese government not care about the preservation of their mountains?” This was directed at the delegate of Nepal (Grishma Shrestha), further intensifying the scrutiny of Nepal's role in the crisis.

Following an unmoderated caucus, the committee reached a consensus and drafted a resolution titled "Mitigating Illegal Mining and Strengthening Border Control in Nepal." With this, the first day of the final session of the UNEP at TESMUN 2024 concluded, leaving delegates with much to ponder as they prepared for the next round of discussions