Nepal’s flagship international summit, the Sagarmatha Sambaad, commenced today with a resounding call for global solidarity to address the escalating climate threats to mountain ecosystems and vulnerable communities. Centered on the theme “Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity,” the three-day dialogue brings together over 350 policymakers, climate experts, and diplomats, including prominent voices from the Global South.
Inauguration and Key Voices
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the summit, underscoring Nepal’s role as a advocate for climate justice. Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, in her opening remarks, framed the Himalayas as a “shared global resource” critical to planetary survival. “Mountains supply freshwater to billions, act as carbon sinks, and harbor irreplaceable biodiversity. Yet, they are crumbling under climate stressors,” she warned, citing accelerated glacier melt and devastating glacial lake outburst floods that disrupt lives across South Asia.
Himalayas in Crisis, Local Resilience
Dr. Deuba highlighted the paradox of mountain communities bearing the brunt of climate disasters despite contributing minimally to global emissions. “While Nepal pledges net-zero emissions by 2045, our hydropower advancements and community-led forest conservation—a model replicated worldwide—show sustainable pathways exist,” she stated. However, she stressed that local efforts alone are insufficient. “Women, Indigenous groups, and youth are frontline defenders of these ecosystems. Their knowledge must guide global strategies, backed by funding and technology transfers.”
Demand for Climate Justice
The Foreign Minister issued a sharp critique of delayed global action, urging wealthier nations to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund with streamlined access for crisis-hit countries. “Climate change transcends borders. Only a just alliance can address this existential threat,” she asserted, noting Nepal’s relentless advocacy in multilateral forums. She linked climate inaction to broader risks: migration surges, food insecurity, and regional instability.
India’s Himalayan Solidarity
Echoing the urgency, Indian representatives emphasized shared stakes in the Himalayas, which span India’s northern states. “We witness firsthand the toll of environmental degradation on mountain communities. Our futures are intertwined,” they affirmed, aligning with Nepal’s push for region-specific adaptation strategies.
Road Ahead
The summit will delve into 12 thematic sessions, exploring topics from limiting global warming to 1.5°C to financing climate-resilient economies. Delegates aim to draft actionable policies ahead of COP29, with Nepal positioning itself as a bridge between mountainous nations and global power centers.
As the Sambaad unfolds, Dr. Deuba’s message resonates: “Mountains are Earth’s lifelines. Their fragility is our collective emergency.” The event seeks to transform dialogue into tangible safeguards, ensuring humanity’s survival hinges not on rhetoric, but on equitable, urgent action.
