The representatives of participating governments, international organizations, academia, think tanks, the scientific community, civil society, the private sector, media, and other relevant stakeholders gathered in Kathmandu from May 16 to 18, 2025, to attend the Sagarmatha Sambaad hosted by Nepal. Under the overarching theme "Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity," they reaffirmed their collective responsibility to safeguard the planet and secure the future of generations to come.
Recognizing that climate change poses an unprecedented challenge, the participants emphasized that the well-being of present and future humanity depends on immediate and urgent action. They reaffirmed their commitment to implementing key global agreements, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The assembly also recalled United Nations General Assembly Resolution 77/158 (December 14, 2022), which declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and established March 21 as the annual World Day for Glaciers. Additionally, they referenced Resolution 77/172 (December 14, 2022), proclaiming 2023–2027 as the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions, reinforcing the global commitment to sustainable mountain development as part of the 2030 Agenda.
Critical role of mountains and glaciers
Mountains and their glaciers play a vital role in regulating hydrological cycles, providing essential environmental services to mountain communities and billions downstream who rely on glacier-fed river basins. However, the rapid retreat of glaciers and the cryosphere due to climate change is disrupting these systems, threatening water security, biodiversity, and ecosystems. The loss of glaciers, snow, and ice sheets will have severe consequences for both natural and human systems, including increased risks of landslides, floods, droughts, and extreme weather events.
These changes disproportionately affect mountain communities, despite their minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. Mountain ecosystems are essential for preserving civilizational heritage, biodiversity, and genetic resources, while also ensuring freshwater supplies, clean air, and sustainable livelihoods. Their role in maintaining water security, climate-resilient agriculture, food security, clean energy, and nature-based tourism cannot be overstated. Effective governance and transformative policies are crucial to building a sustainable mountain economy that addresses these challenges. The international community must act decisively to protect these fragile ecosystems, recognizing that their preservation is not just a regional concern but a global imperative for humanity’s survival.
Sagarmatha call for action
We reaffirm the urgent need to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by accelerating mitigation efforts, enhancing adaptive capacity and resilience, addressing loss and damage, and fostering stronger partnerships to secure a sustainable future for all. Countries must set ambitious emissions reduction targets in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) 3.0, aligned with the latest scientific findings, to keep the 1.5°C goal achievable. Additionally, nations should develop and implement National Adaptation Plans tailored to their specific climate vulnerabilities.
To support these efforts, international climate finance must be scaled up, particularly through grants and concessional financing, to assist developing countries, including those in special situations. We call for simplified and equitable access to climate funds from bilateral, multilateral, and alternative sources, including the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement financial mechanisms. A dedicated fund for mountain countries should be established to mobilize targeted resources for climate action and sustainable development in these vulnerable regions. We also emphasize the need to recognize, respect, and reward mountain ecosystem services through innovative financing mechanisms.
The private sector and carbon markets must play a stronger role in scaling up sustainable climate initiatives. Strengthening global and regional partnerships will facilitate access to climate-friendly technologies and enhance capacity-building efforts. Collaboration among policymakers, scientific institutions, the private sector, and stakeholders is essential to drive innovation, mutual learning, and effective policy-making to address climate vulnerabilities.
Sustainable development and inclusive solutions
We advocate for green, resilient, and inclusive development, ensuring that infrastructure projects—both small and large-scale—are sustainable and equitable for urban and rural communities. The transition to clean energy, energy efficiency, and just energy systems is critical, alongside the promotion of green, circular, and bio-economies. Science, technology, and innovation must be leveraged to address climate-induced disasters, conserve glaciers, water resources, forests, and agricultural systems, and enhance resilience.
Given their profound impact on regional climates, monsoons, and public health, dialogues on mountains and climate change should prioritize the triple planetary crisis (climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution) and short-lived climate forcers. Strengthening data systems, early warning mechanisms, and climate attribution tools—especially in developing countries—is crucial. We also underscore the need for integrated risk assessment linking mountain and ocean systems through advanced science and technology.
Climate justice must guide all actions, ensuring fair, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions for vulnerable nations. Inclusive participation—particularly from youth, women, Indigenous communities, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens—is vital to uphold intergenerational equity. We call for the creation of a multi-stakeholder international platform on mountains and climate change to amplify the voices of mountain communities in global decision-making. Local and indigenous knowledge should be integrated into climate policies, programs, and adaptation strategies. Mechanisms for payment of ecosystem services should be developed to incentivize conservation, alongside knowledge-sharing centers and best-practice exchanges.
Finally, we resolve to unite in urgent climate action, bridging voices from the Sagarmatha to the seas, and highlands to islands. We commend the Government of Nepal for launching the Sagarmatha Sambaad as a permanent forum for global dialogue and look forward to its continued role in advancing climate resilience and sustainability.
(Pradeep Gyawali is the former Foreign Minister of Nepal and incumbent Deputy General Secretary of CPN-UML)
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