Sagarmatha Sambaad commencing from today: 175 distinguished guests arrived in Nepal

Kathmandu, May 16: The first-ever Sagarmatha Sambaad, an international dialogue hosted by the Government of Nepal, has commenced in Kathmandu today. Themed “Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity”, the three-day event aims to raise awareness and seek solutions to the climate crisis, especially its impacts on mountainous regions.

Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, who is also the coordinator of the Dialogue Management Committee, said around 175 international participants and a similar number of Nepali representatives are attending. High-level delegations from 12 countries, including China and India, are participating.

The opening ceremony features audiovisual messages, including a special presentation from UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Representatives from COP-29 and the President of Azerbaijan are also expected to address the gathering.

The program includes plenary and parallel sessions, which will host discussions among politicians, experts, academics, and representatives of 61 institutions, including SAARC, BIMSTEC, the World Bank, and ADB. Sessions will conclude by 4:30 PM on Saturday.

A flight over the Himalayas has been arranged for international guests on the final day, followed by the release of the Kathmandu Declaration.

The event is coordinated by a high-level steering committee led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The government plans to organize the dialogue every two years. The conference aligns with the UN’s declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Conservation.