Nepal chaired the 13th meeting of the Council of the International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR) in Beijing on Thursday, reaffirming its commitment to climate resilience, green growth, and sustainable livelihoods through the promotion of bamboo and rattan.

Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, at the meeting expressed appreciation to the government of China, fellow member states, and the INBAR Secretariat for entrusting Nepal with the chairmanship, according to a statement issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing on Thursday.

“The meeting has been instrumental in highlighting the transformative potential of bamboo and rattan in addressing the world’s pressing challenges—particularly the climate change impacts, biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and green economic growth,” Thakuri said. He added that knowledge-sharing among member countries had “enriched our roadmap of scaling up nature-based solutions, ensuring global sustainability efforts.”

During the session, the minister welcomed the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and the Dominican Republic as the newest members of INBAR. He also took part in a flag-raising ceremony for the Dominican Republic, which became INBAR’s 52nd member, according to the embassy.

Nepal’s Ambassador to China, Krishna Prasad Oli, delivered the country statement, underlining the ecological and economic value of Nepal’s bamboo and rattan species. He stressed their vital role in soil and water conservation, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem restoration, in addition to their potential to generate local employment and support both national and subnational economies.

Oli also announced Nepal’s newly adopted National Bamboo and Rattan Development Strategy 2025, expressing confidence in its effective implementation.

Delegates from INBAR’s member and observer states participated in the meeting, held at the organisation’s secretariat headquarters. Established in 1997, INBAR is an intergovernmental body that promotes sustainable development through the use of bamboo and rattan.

The Nepali delegation included senior officials from the Forest Research and Training Centre and the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing. The team arrived in Beijing on May 20 and will return to Kathmandu on May 24.