The Women Leadership Summit 2026 in Biratnagar, Koshi Province, was organized by the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) in partnership with CNI Koshi Province, the Koshi Province government, the Ministry of Social Development, Biratnagar Metropolitan City, and the Department of Industry. The summit focused on elevating women's leadership, promoting local agriculture, and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in Nepal's pursuit of inclusive prosperity.
Summit Overview
The event took place in Biratnagar and brought together various stakeholders aiming to encourage women's participation in leadership and economic development. According to B360 Business 360°, the summit aimed to strengthen women's roles within these sectors.
CNI President Birendra Raj Pandey highlighted the importance of increasing female participation in labor, entrepreneurship, and leadership for sustainable economic progress, emphasizing that women's active involvement is vital for Nepal's growth, as reported by ICT Frame.
Key Themes and Objectives
The summit’s thematic focus was on agriculture, skills, creativity, and digital innovation towards sustainable prosperity. It included various activities such as discussions and presentations related to women’s empowerment, digital inclusion, and entrepreneurship. These were organized to create opportunities for networking among entrepreneurs, policymakers, development partners, and financial institutions, as described by B360 Business 360° and ICT Frame.
The Biratnagar Declaration
At the summit, organizers introduced the Biratnagar Declaration, which aims to advance women's leadership and gender equality. While specific details of the declaration were not fully outlined, it reflects a commitment to enhancing women's roles in leadership, entrepreneurship, and public service, as referenced in the official summit program covered by ICT Frame.
Significance and Strategic Implications
The declaration represents an ongoing effort to prioritize women's leadership within economic and social development in Nepal. It underscores the importance of fostering environments that support leadership training, inclusive policy reforms, and women-led innovation, which are essential for the country’s economic transformation.
Conclusion
The Women Leadership Summit 2026 and the Biratnagar Declaration mark a significant step in promoting gender-inclusive leadership and economic growth in Nepal. They provide a vision aligned with sectors such as agriculture, technology, and local enterprise, highlighting the importance of strategic policy and collaborative action towards inclusive prosperity.