Urja Khabar
Kathmandu: The two-day 'Gharapjhong Climate Change Convention' held in Jomsom, Gharpajhong Rural Municipality, Mustang has concluded with the issuance of a declaration for assuming shared responsibility against the climate-related crisis along with ensuring access to adequate finance and technology for scientific studies of the climate crisis in the Himalayan region, glacier monitoring, and expansion of early warning systems.
The 'Gharpajhong Declaration on Climate Change, 2026', issued on September 16 on the occasion of International Ozone Day, has put forward 'Voice of the Mountains, Local Level Resolutions and Shared Commitment to Climate Justice' as its main slogan.
The declaration, issued with the participation of heads and representatives of local levels across the country, has put forward the concept of collective responsibility and leadership of local levels against the climate crisis.
The declaration has expressed serious concern over the rapidly melting glaciers, uncontrolled expansion and eruption of glacial lakes, floods, landslides, droughts and climate-related disasters in the Himalayan region. The local levels have resolved to work together to address the direct impact of climate change on agriculture, water resources, biodiversity, tourism, infrastructure and local livelihoods.
It is stated that women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, marginalized communities and farmers will be particularly affected by the climate crisis, so their inclusive and meaningful participation in policy-making and decision-making processes will be ensured.
The conference has made important policy decisions for climate justice and building a resilient economy. Commitments have been expressed to establish a risk-based 'Local Climate Fund' at the local level, promote green jobs and innovation, and discourage the use of plastic in public bodies. In addition, a resolution has been taken to establish a 'Local Government Climate Park' in Jomsom, Gharpajhong as a common identity of all 763 local governments across the country.
The declaration states that climate adaptation programs will be conducted by combining traditional and local knowledge that has been passed down for generations with modern science and technology.
Making a special appeal to the federal, provincial and international communities, the mega event urges them to limit global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius in accordance with the Paris Agreement and to seriously implement the findings of the 'Global Stocktake'. There is a demand to ensure access to adequate finance and technology for scientific studies of the climate crisis in the Himalayan region, glacier monitoring, and expansion of early warning systems.
The conference concluded with a common call to "Save the mountains, save the climate; save nature, save the human future" with the core belief that "if the local level is strong, climate resilience is strong, and if the mountains are safe, the future of human civilization is safe."
