Preparations for Sagarmatha Dialogue in final phase

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 10: Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana  Deuba has informed that the Government of Nepal is in the final phase of preparations for the first edition of the Sagarmatha Dialogue, an international conference being organised by Nepal.

Chairing a meeting of the Sagarmatha Dialogue Management Committee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Friday, FM Dr. Rana stressed that the Ministry is working diligently to develop this initiative into a significant and impactful forum for Nepal.

Nepal is organising such an international forum for the first time and has already decided to host it annually as a permanent diplomatic platform.

The event, scheduled to take place in Kathmandu from May 16 to 18 will focus on climate change, the Himalayas, and the future of humanity. Dr. Rana described the Dialogue as a key platform to elevate Nepal’s presence on the global stage.

She highlighted that Nepal’s glaciers, vital sources of water and environmental stability, are melting at an alarming rate, and the country is bearing immense and disproportionate losses due to climate change. According to her, the Dialogue will serve to amplify Nepal’s long-standing call for climate justice on international platforms.

FM Dr. Rana emphasised that the Sagarmatha Dialogue is designed as a global platform to deliberate on critical regional and international issues related to climate change. 

The inaugural edition aims to bring together climate-affected communities, scientists, policymakers, mountaineers, world leaders, and international organisations for dialogue and commitment.

As chair of the event’s management committee, Dr. Rana noted that the government is working to ensure high-level international participation, and several dignitaries have already confirmed their attendance.

Recognising the event as a major opportunity for Nepal, she called on officials from all relevant ministries, the private sector, and Nepali missions abroad to contribute their utmost.

Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi shared that his ministry is in the final stages of preparation. Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai briefed the meeting on the progress of the event’s planning.

To date, high-level representatives from around two dozen countries and over 50 international organisations have confirmed their participation in the Sagarmatha Dialogue.