Kathmandu: The Government of Nepal has officially launched the first-ever ‘Sagarmatha Dialogue’ today, aiming to inform the global community about the impact of climate change on mountain regions and explore solutions for a sustainable future. Held under the theme “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity,” the dialogue will continue until Jestha 4 (May 18).

According to Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, who is also the Coordinator of the Dialogue Management Committee, the conference has drawn participation from around 175 international and 175 Nepali delegates, including high-level delegations from 12 countries. Guests from India, China, and other nations have already arrived, with more expected.

The opening ceremony includes the presentation of informative audio-visual content, messages from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and keynote speeches from top representatives of COP-29, China, and India.

The event will feature a plenary session, parallel thematic sessions, and side events involving in-depth discussions on climate change, mountain ecosystems, and global cooperation. Over 60 international and domestic organizations including SAARC, BIMSTEC, the World Bank, the ADB, and several universities and research institutions are participating.

The dialogue is being organized through a multi-layered committee structure, including a high-level steering committee led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and a secretariat coordinated by Rajkumar Shrestha, Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

On the final day, participants will take a mountain flight to observe the Himalayas, and the conference will conclude with the issuance of the Kathmandu Declaration.

Organizers say the Sagarmatha Dialogue is expected to serve as a platform for knowledge exchange, highlight Nepal’s conservation efforts, and amplify the voices of mountain communities. The government plans to make this biennial event a regular platform for addressing regional and global challenges.

The dialogue gains added importance this year as the UN has declared 2025 the International Year of Glacier Conservation, placing mountain issues at the forefront of global environmental discussions.