A climate conference held in Gokyo of Solukhumbu on Wednesday, marking World Earth Day, concluded with a nine-point ‘Gokyo Declaration’ urging Nepal to take a leading role among mountain and Himalayan countries in advancing climate justice.

The declaration stresses the need for strengthening climate diplomacy and ensuring that mountain issues receive priority on international platforms. The event was organised in the Khumbu region by Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality and Sath Sathai (together), a group working on climate justice and tourism development.

A team of experts and stakeholders travelled from Kathmandu through Lukla, Namche, Khumjung and Machhermo to reach Gokyo, where the conference was held. Former deputy speaker and member of the House of Representatives Indira Rana Magar read out the declaration document.

“The government alone cannot cope with the impacts of climate change. It is vital to work hand in hand with communities in the affected areas,” Magar said, talking to journalists, afterwards. She said that both the government and Parliament should take the declaration’s recommendations seriously.

Glaciologist Arun Bhakta Shrestha, who joined the interaction in Gokyo, said the conference was important in highlighting the growing risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) in the region.

According to organiser Prajita Karki, participants including youth leader Tashi Lhazom, renewable energy researcher Kushal Gurung, rights activist Sama Shrestha, advocate Saroj Ghimire and journalist Bijay Paudel endorsed the declaration after discussions. They urged the authorities to prioritise climate change issues sincerely to mitigate its impacts.

The team of experts also conducted community dialogues with local women in Khumjung and carried out household surveys to better understand local impacts. They also observed various glacial lakes in the Gokyo area.

The declaration calls on the government to adopt gender-sensitive and environmentally friendly sustainable energy solutions to address the country’s ongoing energy challenges. It also underlines the need for inclusive, rights-based climate action, ensuring meaningful participation of women, indigenous peoples, youth and marginalised communities at all levels.

Bal Krishna Basnet, a founding member of ‘Sath Sathai’, said the study report along with the declaration will be submitted to local, provincial and federal governments. According to him, the declaration will be submitted to the federal parliament as well for policy consideration.

“We have worked closely with local bodies to understand the impacts of climate change firsthand. Experts have pointed out that risks from glacial lakes are increasing in the Gokyo region,” said Basnet.

Various study reports show that climate change risks in high Himalayan regions are increasing, and as a result, glaciers are retreating and glacial lakes are becoming unstable.