Bangkok, Thailand – June 6–8, 2023: The Asia Pacific Social Forum Facilitation Committee (APSF-FC) held a significant three-day meeting at the 14 October 1973 Memorial in Bangkok to review progress and strengthen coordination for the upcoming World Social Forum (WSF) 2024, set to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal. The meeting was attended by 36 participants representing 12 countries, including Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, Palestine, and France.
During the meeting, the Nepal Organizing Committee (NOC) presented a comprehensive update on the country’s preparation, including a month-wise action plan leading up to the Forum scheduled for February 2024. A key highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the estimated budget of NPR 50 million (around USD 400,000) for the core functions of the WSF. Bread for the World (BftW) has committed EUR 100,000, while Oxfam Asia Platform has already provided USD 10,000, which was used to secure the event venue. Participants emphasized the need for collective fundraising efforts and agreed to reach out to multiple organizations for small contributions rather than relying on a few large donors.
The APSF-FC also finalized twelve thematic areas that will guide the WSF 2024 discussions, including economic justice, migration, caste and racial discrimination, gender and identities, climate justice, peace and conflict, education, media, democracy, disability rights, and food sovereignty. Organizations and individuals were assigned to develop concept notes for each theme, which are expected to be submitted by June 12.
Participants also discussed program methodologies, including the structure of opening and closing ceremonies, thematic plenaries, parallel sessions, and the Intercontinental Youth Forum scheduled for February 13–14, 2024. Several high-profile names were proposed as guest speakers, including Malala Yousafzai, Maria Ressa, Jay Naidoo, Rakesh Tikayat, Hina Jilani, and Angelique Kidjo, with APSF members tasked with initiating contacts.
The committee agreed that the opening and closing ceremonies would be coordinated by the Nepal Organizing Committee but would involve collective participation. Assemblies and other sessions will be self-organized by participating groups, and a communication and mobilization committee will be established at the Nepal Secretariat to handle outreach, invitations, and global engagement. Translation services will be made available in multiple languages, and registration for the Forum will be available both online and on-site. Registration fees were fixed at NPR 200 for South Asian individuals, USD 10 for international participants, and USD 25 per event for organizers.
Reports from national processes revealed active engagement across the region, with India, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and the Philippines already mobilizing support for WSF 2024. Consultations are planned in Japan and Central Asia, and efforts will be made to engage organizations from China. Participants stressed the importance of linking national and regional processes with the WSF and ensuring broad participation from grassroots movements, youth, and marginalized communities.
The meeting also established four working committees—Methodology, Communication, Resource, and Mobilization—to support the organizing efforts, and reaffirmed the importance of inclusivity, collaboration, and grassroots leadership in shaping the Forum. With preparations well underway and regional momentum building, APSF-FC expressed strong confidence in making WSF 2024 in Nepal a powerful and transformative space for global solidarity and social justice.