Kathmandu: The Nepal Forest Tenure Conference 2026 is underway in Kathmandu, bringing together government representatives, community forestry leaders, Indigenous Peoples, development partners, academia and civil society to advance dialogue on secure, inclusive, and climate-resilient forest governance.
During the inaugural session, FAO Country Representative for Bhutan and Nepal, Ken Shimizu, highlighted Nepal’s globally recognized community forestry achievements, where over 23,000 Community Forest User Groups manage approximately 2.4 million hectares of forest, benefiting more than 16 million people. Shimizu highlighted that secure and equitable tenure rights are fundamental to sustainable agrifood systems, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation and inclusive rural development.
FAO reaffirms its commitment to working with the Government of Nepal and partners to strengthen responsible tenure governance, promote inclusive participation, and support resilient landscapes that benefit both people and the environment.
