KATHMANDU, April 19: The government has included the Climbers' Summit to its upcoming Sagarmatha Sambad program set to take place in Thame, Solukhumbu. The summit will take place on April 22, with coordination between local provincial, and federal governments on climate justice.
The program being organized by climate justice organizations and the foundations will feature prominent mountaineers from Nepal and abroad, along with climate and tourism experts. It will also include panel discussions between government representatives.
Women leaders from various sectors will actively participate and lead the conference, which has received official endorsement from the Prime Minister's Office, the Cabinet Secretariat, and the Sagarmatha Sambad Secretariat.
Chairperson Prajita Karki stated, "Before the Everest Dialogue, we are addressing climate justice issues, discussing key topics, and consolidating mountaineering concerns by reaching out to the affected areas through the Climbers' Summit. We are excited that both the concerned associations and the government have embraced this event, and we are in the final stages of preparation."
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The summit will feature notable figures such as Everest climber Princess Asma Al Thami of Qatar, and renowned Nepali climbers like Kami Rita Sherpa, Mingma David Sherpa, Temba Tsheri Sherpa, and Maya Gurung.
Co-organized by the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Koshi Province Government, and the local Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, the event will also include participants affected by last year's avalanche and landslides caused by climate change.
The organizers aim to discuss the causes of last year's landslides, their impact on other areas, and potential solutions during the event titled "Summiteers’ Summit: A Dialogue for Climate Justice."
Organizers have made significant progress in research regarding the damage caused by last year's landslides and aim to prevent further disasters in the affected regions. Chairperson Karki informed that processes are ongoing at Kathmandu University and other related agencies.
The Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Mountaineering Association, Tewa, Nepal Youth for Climate Action (NYCA), and other organizations are co-organizing the event.
Local authorities are preparing extensively for the event, with Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Chairman Mingma Chhiring Sherpa ensuring that all climbers and experts come together to make the event a success. He expressed hope that this event will help internationalize Nepal's climate issues through the Everest Dialogue, stressing the importance of everyone's cooperation.
High-level government participation is also expected at the Climbers' Summit on April 22.
The Government of Nepal will organize the Sagarmatha Sambad from May 16-18, with participation from various countries, under the leadership and initiative of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
