10th ILGA Asia Conference -2025 organised

Kathmandu, Feb 28: The 10th ILGA Asia Conference -2025 organised in Kathmandu is concluding today.  

  
It has been reported that the event has brought together over 600 attendees from 150 countries to explore urgent issues such as ongoing social and humanitarian conflicts impacting the LGBTIQ+ people.    

However, a section of the people from this community in Nepal including Sunil Babu Pant, the founder of Blue Diamond Society (BDS), which was formed in 2001 as an LGBT rights organisation, are critical of the gathering.    

The first openly gay parliamentarian (member in the first Constituent Assembly from 2008-12) disowned the Conference stating that it was not an appropriate time to organise such a 'lavish' event when the sexual and gender minorities across the world including in Nepal are at high risk of losing essential services for them amidst the sudden funding cuts from the United States of America.    

Talking to the RSS, he said this raises concerns regarding the prioritization of resources. Instead of spending huge funds in a single large conference, it could be funded to smaller, community-based groups to support their sustainability, he argued.    

"While international gatherings play a role in visibility and networking, it's crucial to balance these benefits against the immediate, tangible needs of vulnerable communities. A deeper discussion is needed on how to ensure that conferences, and funding in general, are structured to serve the broader LGBTQ+ movement in the most equitable and impactful way," he also expressed his dissatisfaction on the social site.    

The event said to be the ever largest LGBTIQA gathering hosted in Nepal is organised by the regional body of Ithe nternational Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association and coordinated by the BDS.    

"This is an opportunity for Nepal to lead discussions that shape policies across Asia," BDS Executive Director Manisha Dhakal was quoted as saying by the Kathmandu Post.    

Earlier, speaking at the opening session on February, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi, said the government was committed to improving the rights of sexual and gender minorities. "Every person shall have the right to speaking up own identity, sexual orientation, be free from discriminations and violence and achieve equality."    
The event (Feb 24-28) is themed "Diversity Dynamics: Unifying for a Just, Inclusive and Sustainable Asia".(RSS)