Environmental journalist Roshani Adhikari Pathak from Nepal has been elected as the Regional Councillor for South and East Asia of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for the 2026–2029 term.
The election took place at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, where she was the sole candidate from Nepal competing against six others from the region for one of five available seats.
Ms. Adhikari, a veteran journalist with over two decades of experience, pledged to use her new position to advocate for the conservation of the Himalayan region and draw global attention to the climate challenges facing Nepal.
Upon her election, Adhikari stated, “As an IUCN Regional Councillor, I will advocate for the conservation of the Himalayan region and the protection of its fragile ecosystems.” She emphasized her commitment to highlighting the disproportionate impact of climate change on Nepal.
The Nepali delegation to the Congress included government officials led by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, as well as non-government representatives who showcased community-based conservation initiatives like the “Red Panda Carpet” event.
