First Sagarmatha Sambad Begins in Kathmandu, Focuses on Climate Crisis in Mountain Regions

KATHMANDU, May 16 — The inaugural edition of the Sagarmatha Sambad, Nepal’s flagship multi-stakeholder dialogue platform, kicked off today in Kathmandu, bringing together hundreds of national and international participants to deliberate on some of the most pressing global issues, with climate change at the forefront.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli officially opened the three-day forum, which features parallel sessions on climate-induced disasters, ecosystem services, carbon financing, and regional cooperation. The main theme of the event is “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity.”

“This platform is not just for Nepal, but for all of us,” PM Oli said in his opening remarks. “The climate crisis is no longer a distant concern. From melting glaciers to erratic weather, the signs are unmistakable. It’s happening now, and it’s affecting us all.”

Over 350 delegates from around the world are attending, including 175 foreign participants representing 12 countries. While no heads of state or government are present, the event has drawn several high-profile figures, including:

• Xiao Jie, Vice Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress

• Bhupender Yadav, India’s Minister of Environment

• Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology

• Thoriq Ibrahim, Maldives’ Minister of Environment

• Representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, and various UN bodies and global institutions

The program will continue with thematic sessions through Saturday, followed by high-level dialogues among ministers from the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. On Sunday, delegates will visit Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) and participate in side events tackling the triple planetary crisis—climate change, biodiversity loss, and air pollution. The event will conclude with the adoption of the Sagarmatha Sambad Declaration.

Participants will also tour Vajra Academy in Godawari, a model eco-school promoting sustainable education.

Despite the strong thematic focus and participation from experts and organizations, some lawmakers have criticized the forum’s diplomatic weight. Prabhu Sah, chairman of the Janata Party, questioned the absence of high-ranking global leaders.

“The dialogue was promoted as a high-level global event,” he said in Parliament. “But no heads of state, prime ministers, or foreign ministers are attending—not even from our neighboring countries.”

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, however, defended the event’s scope and vision. “This is a platform for meaningful dialogue, cooperation, and Nepal’s emergence as a hub for neutral, dialogue-oriented diplomacy,” she said. “We believe Sagarmatha Sambad can significantly elevate Nepal’s global profile.”