Government Plans Gen Z Museum at Burnt International Convention Centre

The Nepal government is preparing to convert the fire-damaged International Convention Centre in New Baneshwor into a museum after a recent technical assessment concluded that the building is beyond repair. The structure, which was set ablaze during last year's Gen Z protest movement, has been deemed unsuitable for restoration, while rebuilding a new convention center at the site is currently considered financially unfeasible due to the absence of budget allocations for the current fiscal year. Built in 1993 (2050 BS) with Chinese assistance, the convention centre was originally named the Birendra International Convention Centre before being renamed following Nepal's declaration of a republic in 2008 (2065 BS). The complex later served as the country's Parliament building and also housed several government offices, including the Parliament Secretariat, the Investment Board, the Law Commission, and a branch of Rastriya Banijya Bank. The facility featured eight halls, with its main auditorium accommodating up to 2,000 people, and generated approximately NPR 180 million annually in rental income. The building was set on fire a day after protesters stormed the Parliament premises following the fatal shooting of demonstrators during the Gen Z movement. According to officials from the Department of Buildings, the fire destroyed not only the structure but also important architectural plans and official documents. Government officials and experts now believe that preserving the existing ruins and converting the site into a museum would be a more practical and cost-effective solution than immediate reconstruction. Officials say discussions are underway to establish a "Gen Z Museum" at the site, although a final government decision is yet to be made.