Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, has said that the 'Sagarmatha Sambaad (Dialogue)' is being organized to draw the world's attention to the impacts the country has faced due to climate change and to create a common understanding for solutions.
Minister Shahi said the event will be useful in sharing about Nepal's good practices in conservation to the world dialogue and to learn about the global best practices and solutions for addressing the climate crisis.
The government is organizing the first edition of the Sagarmatha Sambaad in Kathmandu from May 16 to 18. The government has decided to hold this forum every two years.
The Sagarmatha Sambaad is a multi-stakeholder dialogue forum committed to deliberate on the most prominent issues of global, regional and national significance. As a platform, it brings together people from all walks of life from a broader spectrum, having the stake, influence and capacity to shape and drive the discourse for positive change.
While sharing the preparation for the dialogue, Minister Shahi informed that the preparation is at the final stage. The main theme of the first edition of the Sagarmatha Dialogue is- 'Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity.'
He said, "We have already invited distinguished personalities including the Chair of COP-29 and neighboring friendly nations, and most of the foreign guests are confirmed to attend." He expressed his expectation that many ministers, leaders, policymakers, senior government officials, heads of donor agencies, heads of diplomatic missions, academics, climate experts, as well as renowned foreign guests from more than 35 nations in the forestry environment will participate in this event.
It is stated that about 300 distinguished personalities will participate in the Dialogue, both national and international. On the first evening of this program, a gala dinner will be hosted for the foreign guests in the presence of the Prime Minister.
Minister Shahi shared that there will be a high-level opening session along with a plenary discussion as well as 12 parallel sessions on various topics and some 'side events' in the course of the Dialogue. On the third and final day, arrangements have been made for taking the guests and dignitaries on a mountain flight to see the Himalayas.
In the context of the United Nations declaring this year 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation, topics related to the mountains will also be raised with importance in the dialogue, covering issues from the Himalayas to the sea.
Minister Shahi stated that discussions will focus on topics such as the impact of climate change and melting of glaciers from the mountains to the sea, sustainable green economy, climate damage reduction, climate justice and the future of humanity, as well as regional and global partnerships.
"The Kathmandu Declaration will be issued on the third and last day of the Dialogue. We will try to incorporate the discussions, reflections, conclusions, and findings from the Dialogue into policy-making," he said, "We will make efforts to allocate some budget considering the crisis faced by the municipalities in the Himalayan region in the upcoming budget."
He stated that the conclusions and topics emerging from this platform should be articulated in international forums such as COP and the United Nations General Assembly.
Minister Shahi also said efforts would be made to increase access to certain climate funds, green funds, and loss and damage funds based on this Declaration. Similarly, Nepal will propose access to globally established climate funds, including the Global Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, Loss and Damage Compensation Fund, Global Environment Facility, and Climate Investment Fund, the Minister added. (RSS)
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