KATHMANDU, Jan 21: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced the launch of Sagarmatha Sambaad, Nepal’s flagship biennial dialogue forum, with its first edition scheduled for May 2025. The dialogue will focus on the theme ‘Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity,’ aligning with the UN’s International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025.
Speaking at an event in Sagarmatha Hall, Singha Durbar, the Prime Minister emphasized the urgent need to address climate change, particularly its impact on mountains, and highlighted Nepal’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045. “Nepal’s snow-clad mountains, often referred to as the ‘Third Pole’, are vital for the planet’s climate stability. They are rapidly losing their glaciers due to elevation-dependent warming,” Oli said.
The Sagarmatha Sambaad aims to bring together global leaders, experts, and stakeholders to discuss critical global and regional issues, with the inaugural event focusing on the interconnectedness of mountains, oceans, and ecosystems.
FM Gyawali inaugurates Secretariat of Sagarmatha Sambaad
Despite its minimal carbon footprint, Nepal faces severe consequences of climate change, including glacier lake outburst floods and erratic precipitation patterns. The dialogue seeks to foster collaboration, innovation, and political commitment to address these challenges and ensure a sustainable future.
Prime Minister Oli urged the international community to support the initiative, expressing hope that the platform will inspire collective action and solutions to the mounting climate crisis.
