World Social Forum 2024 concludes in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: The World Social Forum (WSF) 2024 concluded in Kathmandu on Monday with a solidarity march involving a diverse array of participants.

The 16th edition of the WSF, which commenced last Thursday, also began with a solidarity march. Throughout the five-day event, more than 50,000 participants from over 1,400 organisations across 98 countries attended various concurrent events, both virtually and in person, according to the Nepal Organising Committee of the WSF 2024.

The forum featured various thematic panels, self-organised activities, and cultural programmes. These were aimed at providing networking opportunities and promoting collaborative actions, as well as stimulating discussions and formulating strategies for a more equitable and sustainable future, as per the press statement issued by the Committee.

Participants deliberated on a wide range of pressing issues, including economic inequality, social justice, climate justice, citizen engagement, right to information, labour, migration, caste-based discrimination, gender equality, peace, and sustainable development, among others, according to the press statement.

The event concluded with 60 declarations from organisations worldwide, pledging to collaborate towards the realisation of a fairer and more just world, as stated by the Committee.

The Committee expressed gratitude towards Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the UN, who expressed his support in his solidarity message to the WSF 2024. The Committee also extended its thanks to all those organisations, including the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, and individuals who contributed towards making the event a success.

The theme for this edition of WSF 2024 was 'Another World is Possible'. It's worth noting that the WSF began in 2001 as an alternative to the World Economic Forum, which is held annually in Davos, Switzerland.