Nepal to become centre of advocacy on future of Himalayas with Sagarmatha Sambad

March 17, Kathmandu: Nepal has initiated deliberations on the future of Himalayan and coastal regions as it gears up for the inaugural ‘Sagarmatha Sambad’ which means Mt Everest Dialogue, scheduled for May 20 to 21. Hosted by the Nepali government, this significant event will explore 16 diverse themes under the overarching focus of climate change.

The dialogue will bring together approximately 450 participants, including heads of state and government from various nations, ministers, scientists, climate research experts, representatives from national and international private sectors, subject specialists, and media personnel. Invitations have already been extended to distinguished leaders from countries such as neighboring India and China, who will attend as special guests.

To ensure the event’s success, a steering committee chaired by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has been established, alongside a management committee led by Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba and co-chaired by Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri. Additionally, a secretariat, coordinated by the Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, has been set up. On Sunday, the secretariat held a press conference in Kathmandu to provide updates on the program outline and ongoing preparations.

Chief Secretary to the Government Eaknarayan Aryal emphasized that Nepal aims to spotlight climate justice on the global stage through discussions on the 16 climate-related themes. He highlighted that the dialogue will address preparedness for climate-induced disasters and integrate expert insights on climate change impacts—from mountainous regions to coastal areas—into Nepal’s national policies. 

Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amrit Bahadur Rai noted that diplomatic missions have been actively engaged to secure the participation of prominent guests and experts from international organizations. He urged the media to play a pivotal role in amplifying the dialogue’s impact, underscoring its importance as a government priority and a universal concern.

The Sagarmatha Sambad aligns with the International Year of Glaciers in 2025, a vision first announced by Prime Minister Oli. Initially planned for 2076 BS during Oli’s earlier tenure, the event was deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making this upcoming gathering a long-awaited milestone.