KATHMANDU, May 18: The first edition of the Sagarmatha Sambaad concluded in Kathmandu with the adoption of the "Sagarmatha Call for Action," a comprehensive and urgent appeal to the international community to address the deepening climate crisis, with a particular focus on the world’s mountain ecosystems.
The three-day global dialogue, held from May 16 to 18, brought together over 175 high-level participants from governments, multilateral institutions, academia, civil society, the private sector, and media from across the world.
Convened under the theme “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity,” the dialogue underscored the escalating vulnerability of mountain regions in the face of global warming and emphasized the critical role that these ecosystems play in maintaining planetary health. With glaciers melting at an unprecedented rate, participants highlighted how the impacts of climate change are not confined to the highlands but ripple across lowland and coastal regions through disrupted hydrological cycles, biodiversity loss, and increased frequency of natural disasters.
The Sagarmatha Call for Action reaffirms the global commitment to the goals of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It stresses the urgency of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and calls for accelerated global efforts in emissions reduction, climate adaptation, loss and damage response, and equitable financial support to developing and climate-vulnerable nations.
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Particular concern was raised over the growing threats to glacier-fed river systems that serve as lifelines for billions of people. Delegates acknowledged that while mountain communities contribute minimally to global emissions, they bear the disproportionate brunt of climate change impacts. The dialogue recognized the cascading effects of glacial loss, such as rising sea levels, floods, droughts, landslides and extreme weather events, which endanger both natural ecosystems and human livelihoods across the globe.
The declaration issued after the three-day event calls for bold and transformative measures, including setting ambitious national climate targets, mobilizing international finance through grants and concessional loans, and establishing a dedicated fund to support mountain countries in implementing sustainable development and climate adaptation strategies. It also advocates for greater recognition and reward for the ecosystem services provided by mountains, such as freshwater supply, carbon sequestration and biodiversity preservation.
Throughout the dialogue, speakers emphasized the importance of science, technology, and innovation in developing localized solutions to climate-induced disasters. There was a strong call for improved climate data systems, enhanced early warning mechanisms and the sharing of knowledge and best practices among nations. The role of the private sector, carbon markets, and green infrastructure in driving climate resilience was also highlighted.
The declaration underlined the necessity of inclusive climate action by ensuring the meaningful participation of youth, women, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups. It stressed that equity and justice must underpin all climate policies, not only across nations but also between generations.
One of the key proposals emerging from the conference was the initiation of a multi-stakeholder international platform dedicated to mountains and climate change. This platform would serve as a hub for dialogue, innovation, research, and advocacy, aimed at amplifying the voices of mountain communities in global climate decision-making processes. The call also reiterated the value of indigenous knowledge and local leadership in crafting effective climate responses.
In its concluding moments, the Sagarmatha Sambaad echoed a powerful sentiment: that action for the mountains must resonate far beyond the Himalayas, influencing climate commitments from highlands to islands and from peaks to coastlines. The delegates acknowledged the symbolic and practical significance of hosting the dialogue in Nepal, home to Mount Sagarmatha (Everest), which stands as both a global icon and a sentinel of climate change.
The participants expressed appreciation to the Government of Nepal for initiating and hosting the Sagarmatha Sambaad as a permanent global forum, aimed at fostering meaningful dialogue on pressing planetary challenges. The first edition has firmly positioned mountains at the center of international climate discourse and laid a foundation for future engagements rooted in solidarity, sustainability and hope.
Here is the full text of the Sagarmatha Call for Action
https://sagarmathasambaad.org/sagarmatha-call-for-action/
