Raju Lama Joins UN Financing Forum 2026 in New York

Raju Lama, President of the SAARC Journalist Forum, is participating in two major United Nations events focused on global development financing and sustainable investment, marking a notable moment of international engagement for a South Asian media leader.

He is attending the ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development Follow-up (FFD Forum) 2026 along with the SDG Investment Fair 2026, scheduled to be held from April 20 to 24, 2026, at the United Nations Headquarters.

Organised under the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the FFD Forum is among the UN’s key global platforms that bring together governments, financial institutions and development partners to discuss strategies for financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The parallel SDG Investment Fair connects policymakers with investors and institutional leaders to mobilise funding for sustainable development initiatives worldwide.

Lama’s participation highlights his growing international profile as a journalist and media leader engaged in cross-border dialogue on governance, development and peace. As president of a regional journalists’ forum, he represents a network of media professionals across South Asia involved in shaping public discourse on major regional and global issues.

Participation in such high-level United Nations platforms is generally reserved for select professionals, policy experts and institutional representatives, reflecting the significance of Lama’s engagement at the global level. His presence places him in direct interaction with international policymakers, development finance stakeholders and multilateral organisations.

Observers note that his involvement reflects broader recognition of leadership roles within the media sector, particularly in fostering regional cooperation among journalists and contributing to discussions on development communication and global policy narratives.

From a professional standpoint, Lama’s participation demonstrates engagement in key areas such as sustainable development financing, international cooperation and media’s role in development discourse. It also underscores the increasing relevance of journalists in global policy conversations beyond traditional reporting roles.

Speaking on the occasion, Lama said journalists today are not only observers of global developments but also active contributors to shaping narratives around accountability, development and cooperation. He added that participation in such forums provides an opportunity to strengthen the visibility of South Asian media within global policy and investment discussions.

His engagement in the FFD Forum and SDG Investment Fair is expected to further expand networking between media professionals and global development stakeholders, while enhancing the role of journalism in international development dialogue.