The WSF in Nepal on 15-19 February was the 16th time the meeting was held. 18000 registered participants took part in 400 activities from over 1100 organisations. The organisers estimate that people from 98 countries participated and that 50,000 people passed through the Forum during the meeting days. The march on the opening day was attended by 12,000 to 15,000 people. Participants came primarily from Nepal and neighbouring countries in South Asia, mainly India but also Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. Participation from the rest of Asia, Africa, Latin and North America, Europe and Oceania was low. The French-speakers were distinguished by young activists and volunteers for the administration of the meeting, from Canada, France and West Africa.

All information about the programme was available on a website and an app that worked well. The major activities were held at Bhrikutimandap in tents with room for a large number of additional venues in 6 neighbouring university campuses. 750 volunteer guides helped the participants together. A very large number of online interpreters around the world also helped during many hybrid meetings. On-site interpretation was also provided for many local languages. All international preparation was done by volunteers in Spanish, Portuguese, French and English using Zoom meetings and Whatsapp groups. The total budget was just under €2 million. There was no room for a solidarity fund to facilitate travelling for low-income groups. Nevertheless, the participation of the many indigenous peoples of Nepal and other disadvantaged groups such as untouchables was extensive through non-governmental organisation (NGO) projects.

Trade unions and farmers’ organisations had similarly large delegations in place. The World Council of Churches was another important participant, with many Christians from India joining Muslims and secular forces to raise the importance of tolerance. Feminists and environmentalists were other major groups among the participants. International organisations included Actionaid, the International Alliance of Inhabitants, CADTM, which works for debt cancellation and against austerity policies, Via Campesina, ATTAC and Friends of the Earth from some countries, the International Peace Bureau and Focus on the Global South. Fewer than before but still with a representative range. A call for a global day of action in solidarity with Palestine on 15 May was strongly supported by members of the WSF International Council.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also addressed the meeting. He emphasised the importance of climate solutions and solidarity: “Thank you for coming together in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation. Coming together for the common good is crucial when conflicts rage and geopolitical divides grow. We need global solidarity to save the Sustainable Development Goals – and reform an outdated, dysfunctional and unfair global financial system.”