Kathmandu: The ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad (Dialogue)’, organized by the Nepalese government, aims to spotlight the impacts of climate change on the country and foster a shared understanding for solutions, as stated by Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the inaugural Sagarmatha Sambaad will take place in Kathmandu from May 16 to 18 and will be a biennial event. This multi-stakeholder dialogue platform will tackle issues of global, regional, and national significance by bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders capable of influencing positive change.
Minister Shahi, in discussions with RSS, confirmed that preparations for the event are almost complete. The theme for this first edition is ‘Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity.’ Distinguished personalities, including the Chair of COP-29 and representatives from neighboring countries, have been invited, with confirmations from many international guests.
The Dialogue will feature approximately 300 national and international participants, including ministers, leaders, policymakers, and climate experts from over 35 nations. A gala dinner for foreign guests will be hosted by the Prime Minister on the opening evening.
The event will include a high-level opening session, plenary discussions, 12 parallel sessions on various topics, and ‘side events.’ On the final day, guests will be taken on a mountain flight to view the Himalayas.
In light of the United Nations declaring 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, the dialogue will emphasize mountain-related issues, discussing climate change impacts, glacier melting, sustainable economies, climate justice, and regional and global partnerships.
Minister Shahi announced that the Kathmandu Declaration will be released on the last day, incorporating insights from the Dialogue into policy-making. Efforts will also be made to allocate budget for municipalities in the Himalayan region and to enhance access to climate funds. Nepal will propose greater access to international climate funds such as the Global Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund.