MUSTANG, SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 - More than 2,000 participants, including representatives from 421 local governments and 36 District Coordination Committees (DCCs), have gathered in Mustang for the two-day Gharpajhong Climate Conference 2083, which began today in Jomsom.
The conference was inaugurated by Agriculture, Forest and Environment Minister Geeta Chaudhary at the Jomsom Covered Hall, bringing together representatives of metropolitan cities, sub-metropolitan cities, municipalities and rural municipalities from all seven provinces.
The conference aims to strengthen local-level dialogue and action on the growing impacts of climate change and will conclude with the issuance of a climate change declaration outlining shared concerns and commitments.
According to Gharpajhong Rural Municipality Chief Administrative Officer Bhim Kumar Basnet, representatives from across the country had arrived in Mustang by Monday evening. Local hotels have been mobilised to accommodate the large number of visitors.
The conference is also showcasing a distinctive community-led approach to organising a major public event. Village societies, mothers’ groups, youth clubs and other community organisations from all five wards of Gharpajhong Rural Municipality have been mobilised for event management.
Mothers’ groups are providing breakfast, lunch and snacks at the conference venue, while dinner and accommodation have been arranged through designated local hotels. The initiative highlights the role of local communities in hosting and managing climate-related events.
The five wards have been decorated with flags reflecting Mustang’s local art and culture. Preparations have also been made to maintain drinking water, internet and electricity services, alongside health services, parking and traffic management.
A striking 28-foot-high spherical installation depicting a crying Earth has been placed inside the venue to symbolise the mounting impacts of climate change.
More than 50 stalls featuring Mustang’s agricultural products are also showcasing the region’s local food, farming systems and livelihood opportunities, according to Roshan Thakali of the municipality’s agriculture branch.
Beyond discussion and symbolism, the conference provides an opportunity for Nepal’s local governments to exchange experiences on climate adaptation, resilient livelihoods, local climate finance and community-led solutions—particularly important for vulnerable mountain communities.
For Ecosphere News, the gathering represents an important shift in Nepal’s climate conversation: from climate policy discussed at the centre to climate action shaped by local governments and communities on the ground.
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