SOLUKHMBU, April 24 : A climate conference held in Gokyo on the occasion of World Earth Day has concluded with the issuance of a nine-point Gokyo Declaration, calling for Nepal to lead Himalayan and mountain nations in advancing climate justice.
Organized in the Khumbu region, the conference emphasized strengthening climate diplomacy and prioritizing Himalayan issues in international forums.
The event was jointly organized by Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality and SathSathai, an organization active in climate justice and tourism development. A team of experts and participants traveled from Kathmandu via Lukla, Namche, Khumjung, and Machhermo before reaching Gokyo to finalize and release the declaration.
Climate Justice Dialogue held in Khumjung; ‘Gokyo Declaration’...
Former Deputy Speaker and lawmaker Indira Rana Magar read out the declaration, expressing appreciation for the organizers’ efforts to push the government toward climate accountability at the citizen level. She stressed that the government alone cannot address the impacts of climate change and highlighted the need for collaboration with affected communities.
Glacier expert Arun Bhakta Shrestha said the conference was important in addressing the risks of glacial lake outburst floods in the region.
Participants including youth leader Tashi Lajum, renewable energy researcher Kushal Gurung, rights activist Sama Shrestha, advocate Saroj Ghimire, and journalist Babita Basnet voiced support for the declaration, according to Prajita Karki.
The team also conducted community dialogues with women in Khumjung, carried out household surveys, and observed glacial lakes in Gokyo to assess climate-related risks.
The declaration recommends adopting gender-sensitive and environmentally friendly sustainable energy solutions to address the current energy crisis. It also commits to ensuring climate action is just, inclusive, and rights-based, with meaningful participation of women, Indigenous groups, youth, and marginalized communities at all levels.
According to Bal Krishna Basnet, the report along with the declaration will be submitted to local, provincial, and federal governments, as well as to the Federal Parliament for policy consideration. He added that collaboration with local governments helped directly assess climate impacts, with experts warning of increasing risks from glacial lakes in the Gokyo region.
The conference was organized in collaboration with several institutions, including the Nepal Mountaineering Association, BYD, Nepal Airlines, and Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal.
