KATHMANDU, Oct 5: It is often said that crises can sometimes give rise to new strength. As the country struggles to recover from the unimaginable destruction caused by the devastating floods along the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli corridor, climate change and climate justice—both closely linked to the growing risk of such disasters—have once again moved to the center of national and international debate.
Against this backdrop, the Kathmandu Climate Week 2026, which concluded in the capital on Sunday, emerged as an important part of that conversation. Titled “Climate Justice for Climate Resilience: From Local Action to Global Climate Diplomacy,” the event was the first of its kind in Nepal.
Although conceived as a week-long initiative, the main activities were held over three days, featuring 27 different discussions and programs and drawing more than 1,000 people in direct participation. The number was significantly higher when those who followed and participated indirectly through social media are taken into account.
Alongside government efforts on climate change, mountain issues and climate justice, several Nepali civil society activists have been active on national and international platforms for years. Some of these activists had already scheduled a meeting on the very day the Bhotekoshi flood struck—August 26—to discuss plans for organizing a Climate Week in Kathmandu.
Accordingly, energy expert Kushal Gurung and climate activists Abhishek Shrestha and Binod Parajuli met at Gurung’s office around noon that Wednesday. They initially decided to organize a week-long program focused on climate justice. As they discussed the plan, news reports of the devastation caused by the Bhotekoshi flood continued to emerge. With no rainfall reported at the time, they had already begun considering the possible role of climate change in the flood that originated in the high Himalayan region.
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The disaster made their plan more immediate and relevant. Inspired by Climate Week initiatives held in cities around the world, they decided to organize Nepal’s first Climate Week. Similar events have been held in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom and Thailand. Such initiatives are intended to raise public awareness of climate change, strengthen policy advocacy and create pressure on governments and other stakeholders.
“We had been thinking about organizing this event for some time, but the Bhotekoshi crisis triggered us to organize it immediately,” said climate activist Abhishek Shrestha.
Following the initial decision, organizations with similar interests, youth campaigners, colleges and other institutions gradually joined the initiative. Youth Alliance for Environment, the NGO Creation, Wind Power Nepal, Climate Risk and Resilience Lab, Nepal Climate Center, Dignity Initiative and Save the Children were among those that supported the campaign.
Another notable feature of the initiative was the way it was funded and organized. Since organizers and partner organizations provided support voluntarily, the event did not require a large budget. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal attended the inaugural session. The active participation of senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also turned the event into an example of cooperation between civil society and the government.
Such collaboration between civil society and the government on issues of national crisis and shared concern has been viewed positively.
More importantly, the event saw significant participation from young people. According to the organizers, most participants were students, young people and youth activists. The event sent a clear message that the generation that will bear the long-term consequences of climate change is increasingly seeking to lead discussions and advocacy on climate justice.
According to climate activist Binod Parajuli, the organizers had initially planned a small-scale event. But as support from different organizations, colleges, young people and activists grew, the scale of the initiative expanded.
Twenty-one organizations served as organizers and six as knowledge partners during the three-day event. Most discussions were held at colleges and the premises of partner institutions. The participating organizations and young people voluntarily managed everything from tea and refreshments to event facilitation and presentations. Different groups also voluntarily provided tokens of appreciation for panelists and speakers.
“It was an organic event overall,” said energy expert Kushal Gurung. He considers the spontaneous participation of young people the biggest success of the program.
The success of the first edition of Kathmandu Climate Week has further encouraged activist Abhishek Shrestha. He now wants to expand the initiative beyond Kathmandu and take it to the regional level.
“Climate Week events are being organized in some Asian countries, including Thailand, but we have not seen such an initiative in South Asia. Through this program, we want to make Kathmandu a ‘climate hub,’” he said.
Speaking at a session held during the closing of Climate Week, lawmaker Dhananjaya Regmi said it was encouraging to see young people showing interest and enthusiasm in such initiatives. Another lawmaker, Ganesh Bishwakarma, said young people possess knowledge, energy and a new language of engagement that could help take the climate campaign to a higher level.
The event concluded with the launch of a 16-point “Kathmandu Call for Climate Justice.” The call includes demands for the formation of a parliamentary committee on climate justice, establishment of a permanent team for international climate negotiations, formulation of a separate climate law, and ensuring private-sector participation in climate-related discussions, among other issues.
The real test now, however, is whether the momentum generated by the Bhotekoshi disaster can be sustained beyond the event itself—and whether Kathmandu Climate Week can grow from a three-day gathering into a lasting civic campaign for climate justice and resilience.
