Prague, Czech Republic: On the evening of 12 October 2025 (CEST), Sikyong Penpa Tsering arrived in Prague to participate in the 29th Forum 2000 Conference.

Upon his arrival, Sikyong gave an interview to Czech Public Radio during which he spoke about the importance of environmental stewardship, China’s continued attempts at the Sinicization and eradication of Tibet’s distinct language and cultural identity, and the unwavering determination of the Tibetan people both inside and outside Tibet to persevere in their struggle until the ongoing human rights violations and suppression of fundamental freedoms by the People’s Republic of China come to an end.

Following the interview, Sikyong, accompanied by Representative Thinlay Chukki of the Tibet Bureau, Geneva, proceeded to the Prague Congress Centre to attend the opening award ceremony of the 29th Forum 2000 Conference, held under the theme “Facing the Odds: Democratic Resilience in Action.” The three-day conference, taking place from 12 to 14 October 2025, convenes global leaders, scholars, and activists to deliberate on the preservation and strengthening of democratic institutions worldwide.

Seated in the front row, Sikyong engaged with prominent dignitaries, including Salomé Zourabichvili, the 5th President of Georgia; Amb. Robert Řehák, Chair of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance; Mantas Adomėnas, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania and Dagmar Havlová.

Subsequently, Sikyong participated as a keynote speaker in the panel discussion entitled “Unity in the Indo-Pacific: Tibet’s Climate Crisis.” In his address, Sikyong drew attention to China’s extensive exploitation of Tibet’s natural resources through extractive mining and the construction of massive dams in seismically vulnerable regions. He emphasized the far-reaching ecological consequences of these activities, which threaten not only the environment of the Tibetan Plateau but also the water security and climate stability of Asia and beyond.

Other eminent panelists included Dr. Jagannath P. Panda, Head of the Stockholm Center for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs; Shruti Kapil, Head of the Security & Mutual Dependence Desk at the International Centre for Sustainability, UK; and Rayhan Asat, lawyer and human rights advocate. The discussion explored strategies for fostering cooperation to address the mounting climate challenges emanating from Tibet, followed by an engaging Q&A session with the audience.

Sikyong’s first day in Prague concluded with his reaffirmation that the deteriorating state of Tibet’s environment bears grave implications not only for the Tibetan Plateau but for the ecological balance of the entire Asian continent and the global climate system.