A Global Call for Peace Echoes from Nepal — But Could This Be the Most Ambitious Peace Event Yet?
KATHMANDU — The serene birthplace of the Buddha, Lumbini, along with the historic town of Ramgram, is set to host the Third Edition of the World Peace Programme from January 11 to 13, 2026. The gathering aims to send out a powerful message — peace isn’t just a dream, it’s the foundation of a thriving and prosperous world.
Organized by the Promised Land Foundation, this large-scale event is expected to draw more than 10,000 participants from across the globe. Among them will be UN cultural ambassadors, global business visionaries, billionaires, renowned scholars, artists, youth leaders, and community representatives — a remarkable blend of thinkers and influencers all converging in Nepal to discuss the pathways to harmony and shared prosperity.
According to the programme’s media coordinator, Sulochana Khatiwada, around 25 billionaires from different continents will arrive together for their first-ever joint visit to Nepal. Their goal? To explore not only investment opportunities but also ways in which business can become a meaningful force for peace. But here's the part that’s stirring some curiosity — can financial power truly align with the spiritual message of peace?
This year’s edition shines a spotlight on Nepal’s deep spiritual legacy, emphasizing the unity between peace, prosperity, and cultural heritage. The theme of the programme is directly tied to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG-16): Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, reinforcing the message that peacebuilding is a collaborative global responsibility.
Over three days, participants will engage in thought-provoking sessions on a broad range of issues — from climate resilience and sustainable development to social justice, leadership, and youth empowerment. Discussions will also cover community-level peacebuilding strategies and even delve into complex political ideologies, including the evolving roles of communitarian and socialist perspectives in shaping equitable societies.
Adding to the event’s prestige, former heads of state from three countries are expected to participate, offering insights from their leadership journeys and experiences in global diplomacy.
Yet, one question lingers — can global leaders, entrepreneurs, and spiritual voices truly find common ground in transforming ideals into real-world peace initiatives? Share your views: will gatherings like this one bring lasting impact, or are they symbolic gestures in a world too divided to listen?
