Kathmandu: A total of 175 foreign delegates are set to participate in the ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad’ (Sagarmatha Dialogue), a multi-stakeholder forum that aims to address significant global, regional, and national issues. The event will take place in Nepal from May 16 to 18.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the coordinator of the Sagarmatha Sambaad Management Committee, shared insights during a press meeting about the upcoming event. Dr. Rana stated that the dialogue would host a total of 350 participants, including the 175 foreign delegates. The event is designed to provide a platform for inter-regional global dialogue on pressing contemporary issues.
The attendees will include ministers, high-ranking government officials, diplomats, and representatives from donor agencies. Experts in climate change and environmentalists, along with development actors and leaders from various sectors, will also join to discuss environmental challenges and seek regional and international cooperation for climate action.
During the press meet, Dr. Rana reiterated the participation of 175 foreign delegates alongside an equal number of Nepali participants. The event will see high-level delegates from 12 countries, who will engage in a high-level plenary session.
Representatives from 61 national and international organizations, as well as members from SAARC, BIMSTEC, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, and civic societies, will participate in the dialogue. The event will include 12 parallel sessions and other side events.
The inaugural Sagarmatha Sambaad is themed ‘Climate Change, Mountains and Future of Humanity’. The government plans to hold the multi-stakeholder dialogue forum biennially. Participants will discuss contemporary issues, particularly climate-change-induced adversities and impacts, focusing on climate action and justice.
Minister Rana noted that preparations for the event are nearly complete, with various preliminary discussions already held. She emphasized Nepal’s potential to lead in neutral and dialogue-driven diplomacy and its commitment to climate action, expressing confidence in Nepal’s role in fostering peaceful global dialogue.
Prime Minister KP Sharma will address the event, with Minister Rana delivering a keynote speech. An audiovisual presentation will introduce the dialogue forum to attendees. A video message from the United Nations General-Secretary will also be broadcasted.
The Sagarmatha Sambaad Secretariat reports that high-level delegates from India and China, along with the COP-29 President and President of Azerbaijan, will address the event.