Kathmandu, Mar. 17: The much-awaited Sagarmatha Sambaad (dialogue) is just 60 days away, and the government is actively preparing to organise the event successfully.

Amid its hectic activities, the Sagarmatha Sambaad Secretariat held a press conference on Sunday, providing updates on the preparations for the Sambaad scheduled to take place in Kathmandu from May 16 to 18.

While informing the press, Dr. Maheshwar Dhakal, Joint Secretary and Member Secretary of the Secretariat, said that the Sagarmatha Sambaad will serve as a multi-stakeholder and cross-sectoral forum, bringing together a diverse range of global leaders.

The event is expected to attract heads of state/government, ministers, parliamentarians, policymakers, academics, experts, media representatives, business community, civil society, youth and individuals directly affected by the issues being discussed. In addition, delegates will include foreign dignitaries, heads/representatives of UN agencies, international organizations (IOs), international financial institutions (IFIs), regional bodies, scientists, academicians, national and international media, I/NGO representatives, civil society members, celebrities and other prominent figures. 

Dr. Dhakal further informed that the Sambaad would feature five thematic sessions — Beyond Mountains: Linking Mountains to Oceans; Green Economy; Averting, Minimising and Addressing Loss and Damage; Climate Justice and the Future of Humanity; and Global and Regional Partnerships.

In addition, there will be 12 parallel sessions covering topics such as the Urgency of 1.5-degree Ambition and Glacier Preservation; Food Security and Climate-Resilient Agriculture; Community-Led Climate Initiatives in the Mountains; Exploring Nature, Culture, and Adventure in the Mountains; Mountain Risk Assessment and Monitoring; and Addressing Loss and Damage in the Mountains.

Discussions will also focus on Building an Inclusive Future: Gender and Intergenerational Equity, Bridging Science and Technology for Mountain Resilience, and Sustaining the Mountain Economy, Dr. Dhakal added.

According to Dr. Dhakal, climate change has emerged as a critical global challenge, posing a serious threat to both humanity and nature. In response to this pressing issue, the Sagarmatha Sambaad 2025 is set to provide a platform for meaningful dialogue and action.

The Sambaad aims to foster shared understanding by cultivating collective awareness and generating momentum for urgent climate action. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, it seeks to highlight the need for immediate steps to address climate challenges. Another key objective is to promote inclusive solutions, advocating for climate justice, he said. “Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal said that climate change has been a common issue of 30 million population. So, the Sambaad will emphasise providing vulnerable nations and communities with fair and inclusive solutions to ensure they are not left behind in climate action efforts.

Amrit Bahadur Rai, Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the Sambaad will be organised using government resources and is also open to international assistance. He also informed that the government is committed to ensuring the event is held in an organised and dignified manner.

The event will also focus on advancing cooperation by strengthening global and regional partnerships. This includes accelerating climate finance, improving access to advanced technologies, and enhancing capacity-building initiatives to support effective climate strategies.

Similarly, the Sambaad aims to build a global coalition that reinforces international collaboration. This coalition will play a vital role in driving ambitious actions to preserve mountain ecosystems and secure a sustainable future for humanity.

The inaugural edition of the Sagarmatha Sambaad, themed “Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity,” will contribute to strengthening a multi-stakeholder approach to climate action. With renewed political will, innovative initiatives, strategic investments, and enhanced collaboration at regional and global levels, the event seeks to inspire impactful change in tackling climate challenges.

The Sambaad is being organised to draw global attention to the pressing issue of climate change. This comes at a time when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned of catastrophic consequences if global warming is not limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Current emission trends suggest that the world is on track for 3 to 4 degrees Celsius of warming by the end of the century, posing severe risks to ecosystems, communities, and economies. The window for urgent action to limit this warming is rapidly closing, underscoring the need for immediate and decisive measures, according to the Secretariat.

The Management Committee for the Sambaad is composed of key officials, with the Foreign Minister serving as the Coordinator and the Minister of Forests and Environment as the Co-Coordinator. 

Other members include the Chief Secretary of the Government of Nepal, the Secretary (Development Management Sector), the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, the Secretary of the National Planning Commission, the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. 

The Executive Director of the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre, the Member Secretary of the National Trust for Nature Conservation are other members in the committee. 

Initially, the Sambaad was scheduled to be held in 2019, but had been postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic.