CWA # 1703
Global Politics Explainer
Sagarmatha Sambaad in Nepal
Kathmandu’s Global Agenda for the Himalayas
The dialogue expresses a strong commitment to protect the Himalayas, advocate for climate justice, and provide allowance and financial support to developing countriesÂ
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M KejiaÂ
8 June 2025
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On 16 May, the government of Nepal hosted Sagarmatha Sambaad. This high-level biannual global dialogue on “Climate Change, Mountains and the future of Humanity” was held in Kathmandu. 360 foreign and local representatives joined the first edition of the dialogue, which took place from 16 to 18 May 2025. The major focus was on promoting cooperation for mountain ecosystem resiliency and climate change in the Himalayas.
What is Sagarmatha Sambaad?
Sagarmatha Sambaad is Nepal’s high-profile global biannual dialogue on sustainable development, environmental diplomacy, and climate change. Launched by the government of Nepal, the dialogue aims to bring all the stakeholders - climate activists, policymakers, and experts from across the world to discuss the issues that are affecting the mountain regions.
Sagarmatha Sambaad’s primary objective is to position Nepal as the primary stakeholder to influence global politics for climate resilience in the mountain regions. It aims to get cooperation and financial aid from international organisations for climate-vulnerable communities in Nepal. It aims to link Nepal with a global agenda and the dialogue on climate change, with an extra focus on saving the world’s highest glacier.
The dialogue also aims to connect the Islands to the highlands through corridor connectivity. Finally, the dialogue also aims to empower local climate actions in the mountains.
What is the background? What factors contribute to Nepal’s focus on Climate Change and the Himalayas?
First, Nepal is one of the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change, due to its mountainous region. The major issues in Nepal include landslides, ablation, changes in weather patterns, and many more. Through this dialogue they aim to amplify the voices of underrepresented mountain communities in the international climate discussions.
Second, Nepal is experiencing an unusual glacial melt in its huge range of the Himalayas, known as the “Third Pole”. This is leading to huge threats to water security for millions of people in South Asia as they are experiencing landslides and floods very frequently, and creating vulnerable livelihoods in remote communities in the mountains.
Third, Nepal aims to urge global collaboration on a global platform to support climate resilience in the fragile ecosystem of the Himalayas and to discuss sustainable development, climate change, and mountain resilience.
Fourth, this dialogue aims to highlight its initiatives in different aspects, including the Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) and under the Paris Agreement, the third Nationally Determined Contribution.
Who took part in the dialogue?
The government of Nepal has invited numerous heads of state. Though there was no popular participation of heads of state, the first edition of Sagarmatha Sambaad attracted diverse dignitaries across the globe. It had 175 foreign delegates out of 350 who took part in the initiative. One of the highest-ranking dignitaries was the vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s 14th National People’s Congress, Xiao Jie. From India, Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has attended the dialogue. Notable guests were COP29 President and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, an advisor to the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Children’s Affairs of Bangladesh, Minister of Tourism and Environment of the Maldives and Minister of Natural Resources, Bhutan. Several ambassadors, heads of UN agencies, regional and multilateral organisations, think tanks, research organisations, senior officials, civil society groups, universities, and NGOs have also participated in various capacities.
What are the major outcomes?
First, the dialogue concluded with an urgent call. It appealed to the international community to address the growing climate crisis, with a focus on the world’s mountain ecosystems and islands.
Second, the Sagarmatha Call for Action reiterates with an international commitment to key global agreements. It includes the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The call focused on the rise in global temperature of 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. The dialogue addressed the urgent need to maintain it and accelerate action to reduce emissions, provide financial support to develop the climate-vulnerable nations, address loss and damage, and increase climate adaptation.
Third, the dialogue expressed strong commitments to protect the Himalayas, advocate for climate justice, and provide allowance and financial support to developing countries.
References
Binod Dhakal, “Sagarmatha Sambaad:Nepal’s global climate dialogue,” Nepal News, 16 May 2025.
https://nepalnews.com/s/explainers/everything-you-need-to-know-about-sagarmatha-sambaad-nepals-global-climate-dialogue/
“Sagarmatha Sambaad 2025: Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity,” Mountain Partnership, 16 May 2025.
https://www.fao.org/mountain-partnership/events/events-list/events-detail/sagarmatha-sambaad-2025--climate-change--mountains-and-the-future-of-humanity/en
“Sagarmatha Call for Action - Sagarmatha Sambaad,” Sagarmatha Sambaad, 18 May 2025.
https://sagarmathasambaad.org/sagarmatha-call-for-action/
About the author
M Kejia is a student in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Pondicherry University, Puducherry. She is currently a research intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies.
