KATHMANDU, May 19: The South Asian Climate Change Journalists' Forum (SACCJF), a regional network established in 2022 to promote collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building among journalists covering climate change issues in South Asia officially launched its Nepal Chapter on Monday, appointing a 15-member executive committee dedicated to strengthening climate journalism in the country.
The new chapter will work in close coordination with the regional SACCJF, founded in 2022, which brings together climate journalists from eight South Asian nations—Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan, and Nepal. The organization aims to boost cross-border collaboration on climate reporting, advocacy, and awareness.
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Shree Ram Subedi will lead the Nepal Chapter as President, with Bhisma Raj Ojha serving as Vice President. Bikash Acharya has been appointed General Secretary and Chadni Hamal as Treasurer. The committee also includes members Mukesh Pokhrel, Bal Krishna Adhikari, Sabin Sharma, Tika Bandan, Yam Bam, Shobita Rishal, Balika Maden, Numa Thamsuhang, Birendra KM, Khagendra Bhandari, and Tula Adhikari.
On the day of the launch, top SACCJF officials—President Asish Gupta and General Secretary Karamot Ullah Biplob—along with members of the Nepal Chapter, met with SAARC Secretary-General Golam Sarwar. The meeting focused on exploring opportunities for collaboration on climate advocacy and public awareness campaigns across the region. Secretary-General Sarwar expressed strong support for joint efforts with SACCJF in addressing climate challenges in South Asia.
SACCJF also announced plans to organize a major South Asian Journalists' Conference in Janakpur in October 2025. The event will bring together journalists, climate experts, and policymakers from across the region to focus on critical local climate issues and promote regional cooperation. The Janakpur conference follows successful local events in India and Bangladesh and is expected to serve as a flagship program for the forum.
Ahead of the launch, the visiting SACCJF delegation held meetings with Nepal's Minister for Forest and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi, and ICIMOD Director General Dr. Pema Gyamtsho. The discussions centered on building partnerships and strategies for future collaboration in tackling climate-related challenges in the Himalayan region.
SACCJF currently operates its secretariat in Dhaka, Bangladesh. While the India Chapter is already active, chapters in Bangladesh and Pakistan are also under development. The forum is committed to enhancing the quality and impact of climate journalism through regional cooperation, capacity building, and knowledge exchange.
