21st May 2025, Kathmandu
Marking a historic milestone in digital inclusivity and linguistic identity, the first-ever website using a Nepali domain name — क्यान.संगठन — was officially launched during the UA Hackathon Nepal 2025 event.
Nepal First Nepali Domain Website
The initiative was jointly organized by the Computer Association of Nepal Federation (CAN Federation) and global internet organization ICANN, under the theme “Pioneering UA Ready Platforms”.
The launch of क्यान.संगठन symbolizes the formal integration of the Nepali language into the Domain Name System (DNS). Organizers stated that this step is expected to enhance accessibility to government and public services in the Nepali language and promote digital inclusion.
Universal Acceptance (UA) refers to the principle that all domain names and email addresses, regardless of script, language, or length, should be accepted equally by all internet-enabled applications and systems. A system that supports this is deemed “UA-ready.” This concept aims to bridge the digital divide for native language users worldwide.
Speaking at the event, Radhika Aryal, Secretary at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, highlighted that Nepali domain names safeguard language, identity, and access, contributing significantly to the Digital Nepal Framework. She also shared that the country’s AI policy is in its final stages and a cybersecurity bill is set to be tabled in Parliament soon.
Ramesh Sharma Paudel, Director General of the Department of Information Technology, pointed out that approximately 70% of Nepalis still lack internet access due to language barriers. He emphasized that providing domains and email addresses in Nepali will empower this segment of the population to access digital services.
UNESCO Nepal Head, Jaco du Toit, noted that Universal Acceptance aligns with UNESCO’s multilingualism recommendations and reaffirmed their readiness to support its implementation in Nepal.
CAN Federation President Sunaina Ghimire Pandey called this initiative a significant step in Nepal’s computing journey, recalling past milestones such as the development of the Nepali language standard and spell checker.
The event was supported by the Department of Information Technology (Government of Nepal), UNESCO, APNIC, Nepal Internet Exchange, WorldLink Communications (Internet Partner), Mavorian System, HICOL College, and Horion Interactive Board. According to the organizers, such multi-stakeholder collaborations are essential for both the effectiveness and sustainability of UA-related programs.
Rupesh Shrestha, CEO of Nepal Internet Exchange, stated that operating domains through local languages and servers improves both authenticity and fraud prevention. He also advocated for transitioning the .np domain to support full Nepali-language integration and registry/registrar models.
UA Hackathon Nepal Team Lead, Bibek Silwal, emphasized:
“Our goal was to communicate that it’s not just the content of websites, but also the domains and keywords used to reach them that can exist in Nepali. This launch is a major milestone for Nepal’s domain name industry. We now need a multi-stakeholder effort led by the government to apply for a ‘.नेपाल’ domain. The hackathon also provided a hands-on platform for young developers to understand how to build UA-ready systems that accept Nepali language domains and email addresses.”
The event was conducted in two sessions. The first involved around 100 participants, including policymakers, stakeholders, and technology enthusiasts, and was live-streamed via the CAN Federation website and Zoom (with 50 online attendees). The main highlight was the UA Hackathon session, which involved approximately 40 young participants who practiced creating and validating Nepali language email addresses.
Udeep Baral, Program Coordinator and CAN Federation Manager, expressed satisfaction with the event’s success, saying:
“We achieved our objectives. Collaborating with international partners such as ICANN, UNESCO, and APNIC amplified the impact and reach of our efforts. We’re proud to have taken this step.”
Participants received training on how to create local-language domains and emails, and how to make platforms UA-ready. The CAN Federation expressed confidence that this initiative strengthens the prospects of delivering government and private digital services in Nepali in the near future.
CAN Federation Vice President Chiranjiibi Adhikari added:
“Launching a Nepali domain website through UA Hackathon Nepal 2025 is a historic achievement. This step not only advances technology but also gives our mother tongue a digital identity. Domains and emails in Nepali signify a bold move toward digital inclusivity and respect for linguistic diversity.”
The event concluded by reaffirming the importance of continued collaboration to scale UA adoption across platforms, ultimately realizing the vision of Internet for All in their native language.
For more: Nepal First Nepali Domain Website