"Sagarmatha Samvad 2025" is starting in Kathmandu on Friday. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 175 foreign guests will participate in the three-day dialogue. This dialogue of the first edition focuses on the concept of 'climate change, mountains and the future of humanity'.

Maheshwar Dhakal, Member Secretary of Sagarmatha Dialogue Secretariat, informed that mainly five issues are going to be raised.

According to him, the main agenda of the dialogue is to connect mountains to island nations to prevent the threat of climate change from increasing, prioritizing green economy, avoiding the harm of climate change, finding ways to mitigate and address it, raising voice for climate justice and human future, increasing global and regional partnership.

According to Dhakal, the impact of climate change will be discussed in the high Himalayan region of Nepal, which includes Mount Everest. There will be a debate on the issue of taking immediate necessary steps to prevent the impact on the lower areas from deepening. ``Abnormal and excessive melting of snow, landslides in the mountains and flooding of the Terai are problems caused by climate change,'' he said, ``Nepal must take initiatives for climate finance and climate justice.'' What can be the measures of green economy? It will be explored,' he said, 'Also, there will be a debate on climate adaptation.' According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2024 was the hottest year on record. At that time, the Earth's temperature had risen above 1.5 degrees Celsius. 

According to the 2019 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the impact of global warming above 1.5 degrees Celsius will disproportionately affect countries dependent on glaciers and main river systems.

Member Secretary Dhakal says that Nepal is trying to connect mountain countries to island nations through this dialogue to stop the destruction of its glaciers. In the dialogue, Nepal is presenting the effects of climate change with evidence. 

for which Nepal has also prepared a fact sheet on 'Understanding Climate Change, Effects and Risks in Nepal'. In the fact sheet, it is mentioned that due to heavy rains in 2023 and 2024, hydropower projects in the eastern region were damaged to the tune of 63 million US dollars. Similarly, in the last five years, climate change in Nepal has caused floods, landslides and glaciers in the letter. 

In 2021, due to heavy rains, floods in Melamchi caused damage equal to 496 million US dollars and in 2024, floods in the Himalayan region caused damage equal to 6.17 million US dollars. Through these facts, Nepal aims to demand climate finance from rich countries and play a facilitating and leading role on behalf of mountainous countries.

Former Foreign Minister Vimala Rai Paudyal has said that it is necessary for Nepal to play a leading role on behalf of the mountain countries regarding climate change.

Our livelihood is connected with the mountain. Our biggest part of tourism is connected with mountains and water," she said. Nepal will take the initiative in this. He said that Nepal cannot do it alone and seeks the collective solidarity of all.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed that relevant ministers and high representatives from 12 different countries will participate in the dialogue. National People's Congress Standing Committee Vice President Xiao Jie from China and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav from India will lead the delegation in the dialogue. Mukhtar Babayev, President of COP-29 and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, will also participate in the dialogue.

Parliamentary Deputy Foreign Minister Akiko Akiko from Japan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jem Tshiring from Bhutan, Thorik Ibrahim, Minister of Tourism and Environment from Maldives and Baroness Susan Hayman, Deputy Foreign Minister from the UK will also come for dialogue.

Ambassador from Qatar and Special Envoy and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Climate Change, Badr Omal Al Dafa, and Assistant Foreign Minister for Energy and Sustainability Affairs from the United Arab Emirates, Abdullah Balala, will participate in the dialogue, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

One minister each from Pakistan and Bahrain and advisers from the Ministry of Social Welfare and Women and Children from Bangladesh will participate in the dialogue. Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Brazil and Egypt will also be represented.

Moreover, representatives of 61 organizations including SAARC, BIMSTEC, Loss and Damage Fund, Development Partners will also participate in the dialogue.