The government of Nepal is set to host the first-ever Sagarmatha Sambad (Sagarmatha Dialogue), with discussions centered on 16 themes under the overarching topic of climate change.

The dialogue, scheduled for May 20-21, will bring together around 450 participants, including heads of state and government, ministers, climate scientists, experts, representatives from the private sector, and media persons. Invitations have already been extended to leaders of various countries, including India and China, as special guests.

To oversee the event, a steering committee has been formed under the leadership of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Additionally, a management committee is chaired by Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, with Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri as co-chair. A secretariat, led by the Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, is coordinating preparations.

During a press conference on Sunday, Chief Secretary Eaknarayan Aryal emphasized Nepal’s commitment to advocating for climate justice through discussions on various climate-related issues. He highlighted that the dialogue will also focus on preparedness for climate-induced disasters and integrating expert recommendations into national policies. “We hope the dialogue will contribute to forming a global consensus on climate action,” he added.

Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai stated that diplomatic missions have been mobilized to facilitate the participation of international dignitaries and experts. He also underscored the media’s role in ensuring the success of the dialogue.

Prime Minister Oli had initially announced the event to coincide with the International Year of Glaciers in 2025. Preparations for the dialogue, which began during his previous tenure in 2019 (2076 BS), were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. -- RSS