INTRODUCTION

Indigenous Nationalities, both in Nepal and worldwide, stand at the forefront of ecological justice, playing a pivotal role in addressing climate challenges. They serve as custodians of their ancestral lands, preserving natural resources and biodiversity. Their deep-rooted knowledge passed down through generations, provides them with effective tools to combat the impacts of climate change. This traditional wisdom, previously disregarded as unscientific, is now gaining recognition at national and global levels for its crucial role in the fight against climate change. Highlighting the often underestimated role of Indigenous Nationalities, especially women, in preserving biodiversity and combating climate change has become a focal point in recent discussions. Acknowledging their expertise and practices is vital as they offer indispensable assets in our global battle against climate change.

To recognize and honor the invaluable contributions of Indigenous Peoples, we propose organizing a panel discussion. The discussion will emphasize the urgent need to empower and support Indigenous Nationalities from the respective countries of the panel. This involves amplifying their voices, providing necessary resources, and creating opportunities for their active engagement in climate action. It will underscore the significance of tapping into the wisdom and resilience of Indigenous Nationalities to create a more sustainable future, both locally in Nepal and globally. Recognizing Indigenous Nationalities as front-line advocates for climate action not only celebrates their contributions but also stresses the importance of adopting diverse, gender-inclusive, and fair approaches to tackle the pressing challenges posed by climate change and also serve in ecological justice.

While the global community is striving to thrive and work collectively toward preserving ecology, the Indigenous Nationalities are on the backdrop of the society. Since the world is engaging and evolving simultaneously, the urgency to address Indigenous Knowledge and traditional practices is essential. So, this panel discussion will serve as a platform for the social activists, philanthropists, and humanitarians of the world. 

The objective of this event is to:

1. To discourse the best practices of the Indigenous Nationalities and the practices from around the world 

2. To ensure the long-term sustainability of Indigenous Nationalities climate action efforts by establishing mechanisms for ongoing support, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders

The Guiding questions for the panel discussion will be on 

1. Roles of Indigenous Nationalities in Ecological Justice 

2. Challenges endured by Indigenous Nationalities due to ecological degradation and their best practices