On 6-7 September 2025, the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) held a high-level regional policy dialogue in Kathmandu, Nepal, where participants adopted the Kathmandu Declaration on Transformative Action to End Open Burning of Waste in South Asia.

In a major stride toward environmental justice and regional cooperation, the declaration represents a unified commitment by South Asian nations to eliminate the widespread and hazardous practice of open waste burning—a major contributor to air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and public health crises across the region. This declaration emerged from a coordinated regional effort by the Department of Environment (DoE), Ministry of Forests and Environment, Nepal, the Health Environment and Climate Action Foundation (HECAF360), and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA).

More details at https://www.iges.or.jp/en/news/20251017