Youth IGF Nepal 2026

Annual Forum

Introduction

Now in its fifth year, the Youth IGF initiative continues to empower young people to engage with vital issues at the crossroads of technology, governance, and society. The 2026–27 calendar connects participants through interactive forums, capacity-building workshops, and fellowship opportunities. This collaborative ecosystem is built to amplify diverse youth perspectives and strengthen their role in driving Nepal’s digital future.

Registration

Youth IGF Nepal 2026 takes place on 2 October 2026 in Kathmandu.

The Forum will bring together young people and stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, the technical community, industry experts, and other stakeholders to engage in discussions on Internet governance, digital policy, emerging technologies, and Nepal’s evolving digital ecosystem.

It will provide participants with opportunities to exchange perspectives, engage with experts and peers, and contribute to conversations shaping the future of the Internet.

Registration for the Annual Forum is now open.

Fellowship

Youth IGF Nepal 2026 Fellowship

Each year, yIGF Nepal brings together youth, policymakers, academia, civil society, the technical community, and the private sector to exchange ideas, build capacity, and foster dialogue on key Internet Governance issues.

The fellowship supports inclusive participation by young people from outside Kathmandu Valley, helping bring diverse voices from across Nepal into national Internet Governance discussions.

Previous experience in Internet Governance is not required.

Learn More

Event Schedule

Venue: Royal Tulip Kathmandu, Gwarko, Lalitpur

Date: 2 October 2026, Friday

The forum is a full-day, youth-led, and multi-stakeholder convening with the following programme agenda:

Time	Session
09:00 – 09:30 (30 mins)	Welcome & Warm-Up Registration, Tea/Coffee & Cookies
09:30 – 11:00 (1 hr 30 mins)	Opening Plenary Welcome remarks from the host: Ananda Gautam, Co-Founder, Open Internet Nepal / Coordinator, Youth IGF Nepal (5 mins) Chief Guest: TBD (5 mins) Opening remarks: Jennifer Chung, Chair, IGF MAG (5 mins) Keynote speaker: Special Guests: Representative from UN IGF (online) (5 mins) Surendra Tiwari, yIGF Nepal Chair Nirjana Sharma, UNESCO Baburam Aryal, Internet Governance Institute
11:00 – 11:30 (30 mins)	Group Photo and Tea Break
11:30 – 12:15 (45 mins)	Spotlight Session 1: Introduction to Internet Governance Amrita Choudhary (MSG Chair, APrIGF)
12:15 – 13:00 (45 mins)	Spotlight Session 2: Building Blocks of Internet Srinivas Chendi (Sunny), APNIC
13:00 – 14:00 (1 hr)	Lunch Break and Networking
14:00 – 14:45 (45 mins)	Panel Discussion: Opportunities for Youth around Internet Governance Moderator: Sadichchha Silwal Panelists: Sohini Rajiyung, Community Engagement Manager – Asia Pacific, Internet Society Yash Aghrawal, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, ICANN Rupesh Shrestha, Chair, SANOG Sherry Shek, Coordinator, AP yIGF
14:45 – 15:45 (1 hr)	Role Play Session: IPGO, APNIC Facilitated by: Srinivas Chendi (Sunny), APNIC
15:45 – 16:45 (1 hr)	Lightning Talk 1: Youth in Policy Making – Pawan Acharya (10 mins) Showcase: MULCAM – Open Knowledge Foundation Nepal (10 mins) Lightning Talk 2: Beyond Consultation: A Legal and Policy Case for Meaningful Youth Participation in Digital Policymaking – Smriti Khanal (10 mins) Experience and Feedback Sharing: Youth IGF Nepal participants (5/5 minutes)
16:45 – 17:30 (45 mins)	Vice Chair Leadership Handover & Closing Ceremony
Onwards	Tea/Coffee & Networking Celebrate, connect, and collaborate.