The forum approved a proposal to hold a special conference in New Delhi in January 2027, with plans for regional visits and accountability-focused programmes.
South Asian climate journalists have called for stronger efforts to ensure the implementation of commitments made at the COP31 climate summit and greater coverage of the region’s climate crisis, at an annual general meeting of the South Asian Climate Change Journalists Forum (SACCJF) in Antalya, Türkiye.
The meeting was held on November 10, 2026, in a conference room at the ongoing UN climate summit, COP31. It was chaired by the forum’s president, Ashish Gupta, and conducted by its secretary-general, Keramat Ullah Biplob.
Harjeet Singh, a globally recognised climate and social justice activist, attended as the chief guest and expressed solidarity with the organisation’s activities.
Journalist leaders from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan highlighted various aspects of the climate challenges and struggles facing their respective countries.
During the meeting, Gupta proposed holding a special conference of the South Asian Climate Change Journalists Forum in New Delhi, India, in January 2027. The proposal was unanimously approved.
He also said the proposed conference would include initiatives for visits by forum leaders to South Asian countries and the organisation of accountability-focused programmes.
The meeting was attended by the forum’s executive president, Asaduzzaman Samrat, as well as Imran Chowdhury and Syeda Faiza Gilani from Pakistan, Kurulu Kujana Kariyakarawana from Sri Lanka, Shriram Subedi from Nepal and Shamsuddin Ilyas, Imrul Kayes and Saleh Noman from Bangladesh. They presented proposals on various issues.
Also present were Masum Billah, president of the Bangladesh chapter of the forum, coastal region representative Somnath Dey, haor region representative Nazmul Hasan, and climate activists and journalist representatives from different countries.
Participants stressed that alongside the participation of national representatives in global climate summits, it was essential to ensure that their commitments were implemented.
They said journalists must closely monitor whether pledges translate into effective action and whether the benefits reach people living in climate-vulnerable communities.
