Thousands of protesters took to the streets across Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines today, joining a global wave of demonstrations demanding an urgent and equitable transition to renewable energy.
The mobilizations, led by the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), coincide with the historic 1st International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels currently taking place in Santa Marta, Colombia.
The protests highlight Asia’s extreme vulnerability to the global energy crisis. In 2025, the region accounted for 90% of LNG and 80% of oil shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
"The current crisis shows we must dismantle the fossil fuel dependence chaining Asia’s economies," said Lidy Nacpil, coordinator of APMDD. "There is no path to peace or climate justice while our energy is tied to the volatility of oil and gas."
In Nepal, labor leaders and activists emphasized that a fair transition requires significant financial backing from wealthy nations. Laxman Sharma, Secretary General of GEFONT, called for trillions in grant-based, non-debt-creating climate finance to support developing countries.
Local activists noted the immediate human cost of the status quo including economic strain and reduced wages. Activist Tikaswari Rai noted that household burdens, particularly for women, have become a "matter of survival."
While world leaders meet in Colombia, over 900 organizations have gathered for a parallel Peoples’ Summit. Reshma Shakya of SAAPE explained that this independent space is designed to ensure civil society demands shape the official outcomes of the formal "Assembly of the People" tomorrow.
Lidy Nacpil concluded that while the Santa Marta conference complements the UN climate process, it is a "critical moment" that governments cannot afford to squander.
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