KATHMANDU, JUNE 27

A four-day regional workshop aimed at enhancing transboundary climate change and disaster risk reporting between Nepal and India concluded today in Kathmandu.

The event brought together 20 journalists-15 from Nepal and five from India-to build their capacity on shared environmental threats such as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), extreme weather events, and unsustainable resource extraction in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, according to the press release issued by the Youth Innovation Lab.

The workshop, titled 'Strengthening Transboundary Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Reporting in the Nepal-India Context,' was organized by Youth Innovation Lab (YI-Lab) in collaboration with UNESCO Nepal.

Participants received hands-on training in AI-assisted journalism, GIS tools, fact-checking, ethical storytelling, and data-driven reporting. The sessions focused on fostering cross-border collaboration and bridging information gaps between the two countries.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Dinesh Prasad Bhatt, Chief Executive of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), emphasized the importance of Nepal-India cooperation in addressing transboundary challenges. UNESCO Nepal Representative Jaco Du Toit underscored the role of media in holding stakeholders accountable for unsustainable practices like sand mining and promoting climate resilience.

Panel discussions and expert-led sessions addressed topics including 'Communicating Climate Science with Clarity,' 'Transboundary Climate Risks in the HKH,' and 'Diplomacy, Treaties, and Cross-Border Journalism.' Speakers included senior journalists and climate experts such as Dr. Basanta Raj Adhikari, Kanak Mani Dixit, Neera Shrestha Pradhan (ICIMOD), and Tashi Lhazom, among others.

A key outcome of the workshop was the formation of cross-border reporting teams committed to co-producing in-depth stories that reflect the shared environmental and disaster risks of the region. Participants presented joint story pitches on the final day and pledged continued collaboration, calling for more institutional support to sustain the momentum, the release further stated.

The initiative also highlighted the need for timely data sharing and joint narratives on transboundary issues like GLOFs, climate-induced migration, and sand mining. Participants expressed that the workshop addressed critical gaps in climate and DRR journalism and offered practical tools-such as AI, GIS, and DIMS-for more informed and impactful storytelling, it noted.