Digital Democracy Summit: Building a rights-respecting digital future for Nepal

On 23 July 2026, Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) joined Accountability Lab Nepal and other partners to organize the Digital Democracy Summit 2026. The Summit brought over 100 participants from government, civil society, the private sector, development partners, youth groups, academia, and the media, together.

FOCUS of the Summit: was on strengthening Nepal’s digital governance framework, promoting policies that address online harms while protecting digital rights and freedom of expression, and fostering collaboration for a more inclusive digital future.

WHAT DRN DID IN THE SUMMIT?
As part of the Summit, DRN’s Executive Director, Santosh Sigdel, participated in the panel discussion “Shaping Nepal’s Digital Future: Policy Gaps, Regulatory Challenges & Reform Priorities,” contributing perspectives on the reforms needed to build a rights-based and inclusive digital ecosystem in Nepal.

DRN also led a session titled “In the Age of Digitalization: How Do We Protect Digital Rights?” Here, we explored Nepal’s digital transformation initiatives, including digital public services, digital identity, AI adoption, and integrated digital governance, and discussed how these efforts can remain transparent, inclusive, and grounded in human rights. As Nepal continues to advance its digital transformation, protecting privacy, promoting accountability, and ensuring no one is left behind must remain at the heart of digital governance.

Thank you to all the participants who contributed to DRN’s session and to the Summit in overall.

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