KATHMANDU: Preparations are underway for the Sagarmatha Sambad, set to take place from May 16 to 18, under the theme ‘Climate change, mountains, and the future of human life. ’
The dialogue aims to bring global attention to the climate challenges faced by mountainous and coastal nations.
The first management committee meeting, held on Sunday, finalized key plans, including inviting heads of state, government representatives, climate experts, private sector leaders, and influential personalities to participate in the event.
The committee, coordinated by Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana, has already outlined infrastructure arrangements and the event’s program format.
According to Maheshwor Dhakal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Forests, an expert panel of 16 specialists will be formed, along with a publicity and coordination committee led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The committee has urged partner organizations to showcase best practices in climate adaptation and mitigation. Provincial-level discussions and preparatory dialogues focused on youth and children will also be conducted ahead of the main event.
The dialogue secretariat will be actively managed by personnel from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Forests, and the Office of the Council of Ministers. Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri will serve as the event’s co-coordinator, and key members include high-ranking officials from various government ministries and agencies.
The Sagarmatha Dialogue seeks to position Nepal as a global leader in climate advocacy, focusing on climate justice and compensation for environmental services provided by Nepal.
Deepak Kumar Kharal, Secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, emphasized that the dialogue will highlight Nepal’s vulnerability to climate change despite its low carbon emissions. It will also push for international recognition of Nepal’s role in climate mitigation and financial compensation for its environmental contributions.
According to studies, two-thirds of Himalayan glaciers could melt by 2050 if temperatures continue to rise. While the global commitment aims to limit warming to 1.5°C, projections indicate that the Himalayan region may experience temperature increases beyond 1.8°C in the coming decades.
The event was first conceptualized in 2020 during the tenure of then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, but was postponed due to the Covid pandemic. It has now been revived as a biennial event, with the first edition scheduled for 2025—designated as the International Glacier Year.
The government hopes the dialogue will strengthen climate science and technology, unify voices from mountainous regions, and foster global collaboration on climate challenges.
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