First National Water Conference 2025 Concludes with Kathmandu Declaration 2081

Kathmandu, March 22 & 23, 2025 – The First National Water Conference 2025, jointly organized by the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS), the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation (DWRI), and the National Federation of Irrigation Water Users’ Associations, Nepal (NFIWUAN), concluded with the adoption of the Kathmandu Declaration 2081.

The two-day conference, held on March 22–23 as part of Nepal National Glacier, Water, and Weather Week 2025, coincided with World Water Day and World Meteorological Day. It brought together key stakeholders, including political leaders, policymakers, bureaucrats, academicians, water sector practitioners, users’ associations, and experts, to discuss Nepal’s pressing water challenges and future strategies.

During the conference, Narayan Singh Khawas, Technical Specialist at SUSWA, presented a paper on ‘Multiple Uses Water Services (MUS) as a Climate Adaptation Solution: Existing Practices & Key Questions’. His presentation emphasized the importance of integrated and innovative approaches in MUS, showcasing ongoing practices, emerging opportunities, and critical areas for scaling and institutionalization in Nepal’s water management sector.