KATHMANDU, Feb 10: As part of the preparations for the international Sagarmatha Sambad slated for April first week, the government on Sunday organized a national version of the event.

Over 150 participants,  ranging from government officials, experts, activists and academicians to non-governmental and grassroots organizations  participated in various thematic and plenary sessions related to various aspects of climate change during the event, which was inaugurated by Deputy Prime  Minister and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokharel.

On April 2-4, the government is hosting Sagarmatha Sambad with the theme of “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity.” The first edition of the global dialogue is expected to draw global leaders, including high-level delegates from various countries along with scholars, experts, business leaders, civil society activists and media, among others. The forum is expected to contribute to further strengthening a multi-stakeholder approach to addressing climate change with renewed political will, new initiatives and investments, and collaborations at the regional and global levels.

In his inaugural address, DPM Pokharel expressed hope that the forum will provide an “excellent avenue” to showcase Nepal’s efforts on climate change mitigation and adaptations.

“There is a greater need for discussing climate change impacts on mountains and the forum will be the best platform for that,” Pokharel said. 

Minister for Foreign Affaiars, Pradeep Gyawali, in his inaugural remarks,  said that climate change has become a  reality and there is a greater need to respond to the crisis.

“The forum will connect highlands with lowlands (islands) and further explore collaborations among nations,”  Minister Gyawali said. He also said that the fossil fuel-based economy should be replaced with renewable energies and biogas in case of Nepal.

Experts and officials suggested for further work on documenting Nepal’s success stories on climate change mitigation and adaptation and highlight high mountains agenda. 

“Mountains are neglected in the global forum and they are not the subject of mainstream discussion,” Supreme Court Justice Dr Ananda Mohan Bhattarai said. “The  proposed dialogue should be a concrete form of partnership among the like-minded countries.”

 
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