Mongabay · Climate & nature

Katmandu Resolution Calls for Asia-Wide Conservation Leadership

Conservationists from Asia passed the Kathmandu Resolution 2026, advocating for regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and resource mobilization to foster conservation leadership across the continent.

The resolution calls for building capacity through peaceful regional cooperation and trans-Asian collaboration, free movement of knowledge, and resource mobilization to foster leadership. It also urges strengthening country chapters and challenging extractive economic systems.

Asia faces a biodiversity crisis due to development, infrastructure, resource dependence, population density, wildlife trade, and conflict. Conservation efforts are often dominated by Western knowledge systems.

The 6th Conservation Asia Congress gathered nearly 500 conservationists from 42 countries, with a majority from Asian institutions. Participants included early-career researchers, students, and Indigenous community members, with significant representation from women and minority genders.

The event featured over 300 hours of knowledge sharing, including talks and workshops on species and human dimensions of conservation. Some noted a lack of focus on marine ecosystems and conservation social sciences.

Feedback highlighted scientific quality and networking, though the schedule was demanding. Efforts to ensure equity included grants for over 30% of attendees, a notable achievement.

The resolution advocates for community-centric conservation, shifting from top-down protectionism to local and Indigenous stewardship and decision-making. It also promotes securing livelihoods and landscape-scale policies for human-wildlife coexistence.

It further promotes ethical research for evidence-based policies and data-driven monitoring to address biodiversity and climate crises. The enthusiasm of organizers and participants offers hope for the resolution's impact.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.