UN Secretary General Urges Urgent Climate Action at Inaugural Sagarmatha Sambaad in Nepal

Kathmandu, Nepal — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning about the rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers during a video address to the first-ever Sagarmatha Sambaad (Everest Dialogue) held in Kathmandu on Friday.

“Nepal is on thin ice,” Guterres said, citing data that shows the country has lost nearly one-third of its glacial ice in just over 30 years. He also noted that the melt rate has increased by 65% in the past decade compared to the one before.

The international dialogue, hosted by the Government of Nepal and named after Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali), brought together ministers, parliamentarians, climate scientists, and civil society leaders to discuss climate change, mountain ecosystems, and global sustainability.

Water Crisis Looms for South Asia

The Secretary-General emphasized that the melting glaciers of the Himalayas — long a crucial freshwater source — now pose a severe threat to nearly two billion people across South Asia who depend on Himalayan-fed rivers such as the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus.

“Reduced water flow, combined with saltwater intrusion, could lead to collapsing deltas and mass displacement,” Guterres warned, adding, “We would see low-lying countries and communities erased forever.”

Youth Demand Climate Justice

Ahead of the summit, more than 100 children and young people from Nepal submitted a declaration demanding urgent, inclusive climate action. They called for recognition as rights-holders, inclusion in climate decision-making, support for youth-led initiatives, and promotion of young innovators.

“The climate crisis is a child rights crisis,” said Alice Akunga, UNICEF Representative in Nepal. “Listening to the voices of the future is critical to designing effective and lasting solutions.”

‘Stop the Madness’ of Fossil Fuels

Guterres reiterated the call he made during his 2023 visit to the Everest region, urging the world to “stop the madness” of fossil fuel-driven global warming. He praised Nepal’s efforts in climate mitigation, including reforestation programs, early warning systems, and its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045.

Call for Global Action

The UN Secretary-General stressed the need for immediate global action to meet the Paris Agreement target of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. He called on developed nations and major emitters to:

• Invest in renewable energy

• Fulfill the $1.3 trillion climate finance commitment made at COP29

• Double adaptation funding to at least $40 billion this year

• Provide sustained support for the Loss and Damage Fund

“Achieving these goals demands bold collaboration,” said Guterres. “The United Nations stands as your ally in this critical task.”