Speaker Dolprasad Aryal will lead a seven-member Nepali delegation to the 153rd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tanzania on October 4, 2026. He plans to present an emergency proposal on the impacts of climate change on Nepal during the assembly, a proposal that has already garnered support from over 50 countries.
This diplomatic initiative aligns with recent calls made by Prime Minister Balen Shah, who, at the 81st United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2026, urged for simplified climate finance mechanisms, technology transfer, and capacity building for developing nations. Nepal, a member of the UN Peacebuilding Commission and elected to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2024-2026 term, continues to strengthen its presence in international regimes.
Nepal’s Global Engagement
Nepal has established diplomatic relations with 188 countries as of October 2, 2026, recently adding Grenada and Micronesia in September 2026. A member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), an organization of developing and least developed countries advocating for peaceful coexistence, Nepal joined the United Nations (UN), an international organization dedicated to maintaining peace and security, on December 14, 1955. It became the 147th member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), an intergovernmental organization that regulates international trade, on April 23, 2004, becoming the first Least Developed Country (LDC) to do so after the WTO’s establishment.
Despite its active participation in global forums, Nepal faces significant challenges. The Policy Research Institute has pointed to “false claims” regarding Nepal’s effective, credible, and respected presence on regional and international platforms, indicating a gap between policy and reality. The Rising Nepal Daily notes that the nation’s survival remains precarious without internal justice, robust political cohesion, a strong economic base, and diplomatic dexterity.
Economic and Geopolitical Challenges
Economically, Nepal is projected to graduate from its LDC status by November 24, 2026, and aims to secure continued trade benefits from the WTO post-graduation. The World Bank projects Nepal’s economic growth to be limited to 2.7 percent in 2026, with structural economic challenges persisting. However, the country’s foreign exchange reserves reached USD 22.5 billion by mid-January 2026, and the number of Demat accounts reached 8.095 million by September 30, 2026.
The return of geopolitics and increasing great power competition, particularly among nations like the US, China, Russia, and India, further complicates Nepal’s diplomacy. This competition for resources, technology, and influence often lures small states to choose sides. The ongoing Middle East conflict, for instance, poses direct risks to Nepal’s remittances and foreign exchange reserves.
Future Diplomatic Trajectory
Looking ahead, Nepal has put forward its candidacies for several key international bodies, including the UN Human Rights Council (2027-2029), ECOSOC (2029-2031), UNICEF (2027-2029), and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (2028-2031). The government is also actively working to restructure Nepal’s diplomacy, emphasizing adherence to a diplomatic code of conduct and an institutional, integrated approach.
However, questions linger about Nepal’s consistent adherence to its non-aligned foreign policy amidst these global dynamics. Concerns also remain that Nepal has not fully leveraged its WTO membership over the past two decades. Furthermore, internal political instability, exemplified by youth-led anti-corruption protests in September 2025, could weaken diplomatic efforts, highlighting the need for robust internal governance to support external policy.
