Kathmandu, March 17
The much-awaited ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad’ or Sagarmatha Dialogue, hosted by the government of Nepal for the first time, will focus on 16 different themes under the major topic of climate change.
Around 450 participants, including heads of state and government from various countries, ministers, scientists, climate research experts, national and international private sector representatives, subject experts, and media persons, will join the dialogue, which will take place from May 20 to 21.
The government has invited heads of state and government from various countries, including neighboring India and China, as special guests for the dialogue.
Meanwhile, a steering committee has been formed for the dialogue, chaired by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and a management committee led by Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba and co-chaired by Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri.
A secretariat has also been established under the coordination of the Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. The secretariat held a press conference on Sunday to provide an overview of the program and the preparations made thus far.
During the occasion, Chief Secretary to the Government Eaknarayan Aryal said that Nepal aims to draw international attention to climate justice through discussions on 16 climate-related themes.
He further stated that the dialogue would address the preparedness needed for climate-induced disasters and that the conclusions from expert discussions on the impacts of climate change, from the mountains to coastal areas, would be incorporated into Nepal’s policy. “We also expect the dialogue to be fruitful in drawing global conclusions and forming a common understanding,” he added.
Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amrit Bahadur Rai said diplomatic missions have been mobilized to ensure the participation of distinguished guests and experts from international agencies. He also emphasized the media’s role in making the dialogue a success, given its importance to the government and global stakeholders.
It is worth noting that Prime Minister Oli had earlier announced the Sagarmatha Sambad in Kathmandu to coincide with the International Year of Glaciers, 2025.
Earlier, in 2076 BS, preparations for the dialogue, initiated by the Oli-led government, were postponed at the last minute due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
