Key Highlights from the Inaugural Sagarmatha Sambaad: Insights and Outcomes

The Sagarmatha Sambaad, an international dialogue forum, wrapped up its first edition on Sunday, issuing a vital 25-point declaration called the ‘Sagarmatha Call for Action.’ Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba announced this declaration in Kathmandu, where the forum focused on “Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity.”

At the closing ceremony, Minister Deuba highlighted how the Sambaad amplified the voices of mountain and island communities severely impacted by climate change. She stressed the need for a collective global response to put the forum’s outcomes into real action.

Describing the Sambaad as historic, she confirmed that Nepal is committed to sharing its essential messages on international stages. The next meeting is set for 2027.

This year’s event gathered representatives from 12 countries and over 175 participants, focusing on themes related to mountains, climate, and sustainable futures. The call for action underscored the urgent need to protect glaciers and mountain ecosystems. As climate change accelerates, these areas face unprecedented challenges that affect current and future generations.

The declaration drew on recent UN initiatives, including declaring 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, and emphasized that mountains play a critical role in regulating water cycles. For example, the UN has identified glacier melting as a significant factor contributing to rising sea levels and extreme weather events, which can lead to devastating natural disasters.

Despite the absence of high-level international leaders, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai celebrated the event’s success, noting that it was Nepal’s first attempt at hosting such a forum. The participation of neighboring countries at high levels made a strong impact.

Among the notable attendees were representatives from China, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and the Maldives, alongside a video message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The discussions highlighted the responsibility of mountain communities, who contribute minimally to carbon emissions yet face some of the harshest impacts of climate change, making up only about 15% of the global population. They bear the brunt of disasters like landslides and floods, brought upon by melting glaciers and erratic weather phenomena.

The ‘Sagarmatha Call for Action’ not only focuses on immediate responses but also seeks to recognize the role of mountains in sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and biodiversity. It looks to foster an inclusive approach where voices from diverse communities, including youth and women, play a significant role in crafting climate solutions.

Here are some key points from the declaration:

Reinforce the goal to keep the global average temperature rise below 1.5°C through enhanced climate actions.
Encourage countries to set ambitious targets for emissions reductions.
Support the establishment of a dedicated fund for climate actions in mountain regions.
Recognize the importance of private sector finance in driving sustainable initiatives.
Champion the inclusion of local and indigenous communities in climate policies.

As discussions on climate change continue to evolve, events like the Sagarmatha Sambaad play a crucial role in building awareness and collaboration, showcasing the interconnectedness of our environmental challenges. Moving forward, the hope is to strengthen global partnerships that elevate the voices of mountain communities and spur necessary action for a sustainable future.

For further reading on climate initiatives, you can refer to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

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