The upcoming edition of the Sagarmatha Sambaad (Dialogue), set to be held in May 2025, will focus on the theme “Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Mankind”, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said. According to the prime minister, the event aims to address pressing global and regional issues, particularly the preservation of glaciers and the impacts of climate change.
Speaking at an event organized by the government to declare the dialogue, PM Oli emphasized Nepal's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045 despite its minimal carbon footprint. “Nepal faces devastating climate impacts, including fast-melting glaciers and frequent natural disasters, even though our contribution to global emissions is negligible,” he said.
The Sagarmatha Sambaad, a multi-stakeholder international dialogue forum, aligns with Nepal’s foreign policy of fostering global understanding through dialogue, consensus, and collaboration. Inspired by the shared welfare of humanity, the event also expresses solidarity with the UN's International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP).
Highlighting the urgency of climate action, PM Oli said, “Erratic climate patterns have caused disasters, claiming lives and increasing the cost of development. Glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, threatening the survival of societies and cultures in mountainous regions like Nepal.” He cited examples such as the glacier lake outburst flood in Thame and recent flooding in the Bagmati Province as evidence of how climate emergencies have become routine occurrences.
Oli criticized industrialized nations for prioritizing prosperity at the expense of nature, exacerbating climate change. “Our unsustainable consumption and production patterns must change. The complacency of those historically responsible for the climate crisis cannot be offset by the efforts of vulnerable nations like ours,” he asserted.
The prime minister highlighted Nepal’s progress in forest expansion, clean energy promotion, and biodiversity conservation but acknowledged these efforts alone are insufficient. “Together, we must forge a sustainable and equitable future to build resilience against the growing climate crisis,” he said.
PM Oli added that the Sagarmatha Sambaad would showcase Nepal’s success stories, its unique historical perspective, and its strategic geographical location. “Nepal has been a staunch supporter of multilateralism and a rules-based international order. Our voice is significant in addressing issues such as climate change, migration, and sustainable development,” he stated.
The Dialogue will focus on collective solutions to global challenges and promote Nepal's role in fostering international cooperation. PM Oli concluded with a call for solidarity, emphasizing that the Sambaad aims to ensure the survival and well-being of people, societies, and cultures dependent on the Himalayas. -- RSS
