Nepal champions the Mountain Agenda at Sagarmatha Sambaad

The Government of Nepal hosted the Sagarmatha Sambaad, the country’s flagship multi-stakeholder dialogue forum, from 16–18 May in Kathmandu, reaffirming its leadership in elevating mountain issues on the global climate agenda. The Sambaad brought together governments, country representatives, international organizations, experts and many more, aiming to highlight the disproportionate impacts of climate change on mountain communities and to support policy and practical solutions addressing the diverse effects of climate change on mountain ecosystems and communities. Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli inaugurated the forum, emphasizing Nepal’s leadership role in elevating the mountain agenda to the global stage. 

During the opening ceremony, the Government of Nepal also launched its third Nationally Determined Contribution, which aims to set more ambitious, inclusive climate targets while integrating the needs of mountain communities. These commitments, known as NDCs, outline how countries plan to cut emissions and adapt to climate change, and are critical to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. 

The Sambaad was centred around the theme “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity”. The Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS) participated in the parallel session “Sustaining Mountain Economy”. Sara Manuelli, Outreach and Advocacy Officer for the MPS joined a panel of experts to discuss climate-resilient economic growth in mountain regions. She outlined key strategies for sustainable development, including support for women artisans through ethical fashion, tourism linked to local gastronomy and organic agriculture, economic diversification through innovation and the integration of Indigenous knowledge with new technologies while safeguarding natural resource rights. 

The event featured three high-level ministerial sessions focused on three overarching themes: Himalayan cooperation, the triple planetary crisis and climate finance. In addition to the ministerial sessions, 12 parallel thematic sessions were held, covering a range of mountain-related issues. One of the key sessions was “Food Security and Climate Resilient Agriculture, 1.5 °C Ambition for the Preservation of Glaciers”. Mr. Ken Shimizu, FAO Country Representative for Nepal and Bhutan, spoke in this session, which highlighted the growing threat posed by climate change to the Himalayan region. With 2024 recorded as the hottest year to date, the session emphasized the urgency of staying within the 1.5 °C target to slow glacial melt and protect mountain food systems. 

Other parallel sessions took place, covering a wide range of topics including clean energy solutions, mountain ecotourism, risk assessment and monitoring, addressing loss and damage, sustainable cities, gender and intergenerational equity and the role of science and technology in building mountain resilience. 

Ahead of the Sagarmatha Sambaad, the Children and Youth Dialogue (BaYu Sambaad) was held on 26 April. The BaYu Sambaad is a youth-led event jointly organized by the Government of Nepal, United Nations Nepal (UNICEF Nepal, FAO Nepal, UNDP Nepal), Nepalese Youth for Climate Action (NYCA), Mountain Youth Hub (MYH), World Food Forum (WFF) Nepal, Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) Nepal and Clean Energy Nepal (CEN). Activities included high-level panel discussions with government officials, the development of the Children and Youth Declaration. These efforts ensured youth priorities were front and centre in climate policy discussions. 

The Sambaad culminated in the endorsement of 25 Call for Action, ranging from strengthening climate-resilient infrastructure and promoting ecosystem-based solutions to enhancing Indigenous knowledge systems and regional cooperation. The dialogue concluded with a powerful call for urgent climate action to safeguard mountain ecosystems. As the impacts of glacial melt, biodiversity loss and climate-induced migration continue to intensify, the Sagarmatha Sambaad reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to champion mountain issues in international climate negotiations. 

The next Sagarmatha Sambaad is scheduled for 2027.