Sagarmatha Sambaad

The government is gearing up to organise Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) Sambaad (dialogue) from May 16-18. The theme of the first-ever dialogue is "climate change, mountains, and the future of humanity". The Everest region is a habitat for rare and endangered species like the snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan black bear, musk deer and Himalayan wolves – all of these are under existential threat in the face of rapidly changing climate. Affluent countries are largely responsible for climate change, with greenhouse gas emissions being the main factor behind it.  But, poor and mountainous countries like Nepal have been disproportionately suffering the consequences of their actions. 

Discussions to right this wrong through climate justice in the form of loss and damage funds are held every year in the COP meetings. However, the long-overdue justice continues to be elusive. A multi-stakeholder dialogue forum committed to deliberating on the most pressing issues of global, regional, and national significance, climate change, climate justice, and related issues, Sagarmatha Sambaad aims to bring together people from all walks of life who also have the stake, influence, and capacity to shape and drive the discourse for positive change. 

Invitations have been sent to heads of state and government from neighbouring countries, including India and China, as well as leaders from various other nations, as special guests for the event. For the first time, the government is organising such a global dialogue and planning to organise it every two years. Hosting an international conference sends a message to the world that the country is stable, open to global engagement, and up to the mark to manage events of a grand scale, burnishing its global reputation. By drawing international attention to pressing global issues through the event, we can showcase our strengths to the world. 

The government should seize this moment to bolster diplomatic ties and foster collaboration with other countries, as well as to give a much-needed facelift to the crumbling infrastructure. This past year 2024 has been declared the hottest year on record. The current melting rate of glaciers is recently found to be significantly higher than previously thought. This means that sea levels are sure to rise to levels enough to displace millions of people in coastal regions far sooner than previously forecast. Not to mention the catastrophic toll on the world's biodiversity.  But, despite these consequences, climate justice is long overdue. 

On the home front, the blackening of snow-capped mountains as a result of hastening snow melt has become a ubiquitous sight, putting the supply of fresh water and food, as well as the lives and livelihoods of millions of people at grave risk. Needless to say, without concrete result-yielding actions, merely organising grand events holds little meaning. The government should also devise ways to translate the discussions at the dialogue into tangible actions.

The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, alongside the proclamation of the 21st March of each year as the World Day for Glaciers. As a country known for its glaciers, this is a rare opportunity to raise global awareness about the critical role of glaciers, snow, and ice in the climate system, as well as their economic, social, and environmental implications for humanity. Most importantly, the preparations for the meeting must be geared towards pushing the world closer to climate justice.