Latest news with #SagarmathaSambaad
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
'Sagarmatha Day' celebration calls for environment conservation
Muscat: The Embassy of Nepal in Muscat observed on May 29, 2025 the Sagarmatha Day, commemorating the historic first ascent of Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary on the same day in 1953. This year's event also coincided with Republic Day of Nepal, adding further significance to the celebration. Jamal bin Hassan al Mousawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum, was the guest of honour. In his address, the Ambassador of Nepal to the Sultanate of Oman, Dornath Aryal, said, "Sagarmatha Day is a reminder not only for human achievement but also for the majestic beauty of the Himalayas and the urgent need to address challenges being faced by climate change and other environmental issues". He explained that the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region covers eight countries, namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan. This region has a huge area of mountains and it has the largest source of ice and snow outside the polar region. He also pointed out that these mountains are vast sources of fresh water and lifelines of people, flora and fauna. "Our beautiful mountains are facing enormous challenges due to rising temperature and extreme weather conditions. Rising temperature has caused rapid melting of snow, rise of the sea level, drought, glacier lake outburst, floods, landslides, etc. The situation has been quite alarming in recent times", he said. Mountains are not just nature's crown jewels; they are the shared heritage of humanity to maintain ecological balance — from highlands to islands. Global cooperation, collective efforts and actions are required to protect them". In May 2025, Nepal had organised the first edition of Sagarmatha Sambaad (Everest Dialogue) in Kathmandu under the theme of 'Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity'. It concluded issuing a 25-point 'Sagarmatha Call for Action". Sagarmatha Sambaad, a flagship initiative of Nepal, aims to promote inclusive dialogue and encourage meaningful collaboration and cooperation to achieve tangible solutions. The ambassador pointed out that a total number of 350 delegates, including 175 international delegates/participants, took part in the dialogue. The second edition of the Sambaad is expected to be held in 2027. Nadhira al Harthy, the first Omani woman to climb the Sagarmatha (Mount Everest), took part in the conference as a panelist. She shared her experiences of her expedition to Sagarmatha and the recently held Sagarmatha Sambaad. So far, three mountaineers have climbed the Sagarmatha from Oman. The late Khalid bin Sulaiman al Siyabi was the first Omani national to climb Mount Everest in 2010. The third Omani national to climb the Sagarmatha is Suleiman Hamood al Naabi. The ambassador noted that beyond its natural splendour, Nepal is strategically positioned as a bridge between two neighbouring countries, India and China. "This unique geographical proximity provides tremendous opportunities for tourism, trade, investment and many more", he said. As part of the celebration, Ambassador Aryal honoured Nadhira al Harthy with a traditional shawl and felicitated Master Shiva Kochale, a 13-year-old teen who reached the Sagarmatha Base Camp in April 2025. Nadhira said, "We could hear the sound of avalanches every day, but I was ready to go to the top of the world. Every step had a risk, but every risk was a step forward. I wanted to be on the Mount Everest summit." She explained all her training to prepare herself for the climbing of Mount Everest was done on the Omani mountains in Al Rustaq, Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, Jabal Shams and so on and by participating in marathons. "Mountains can tell you everything", she said.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Embassy of Nepal hosts tourism promotion event to mark Sagarmatha Day
Muscat: The Embassy of Nepal in Muscat hosted a tourism promotion event on 29 May 2025 to mark Sagarmatha Day, commemorating the first ascent of Mt. Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary on 29 May 1953. This year's event also coincided with Republic Day of Nepal, adding further significance to the celebration. The event was graced by Guest of Honour Dr. Jamal bin Hasan Al-Moosawi, Secretary General of the National Museum of the Sultanate of Oman, and Ambassador Abdullah al Riyami, Director General of the Cultural Cooperation Department, Foreign Ministry of Oman. The event was attended by Ambassadors, Diplomats, a Sagarmatha Climber, prominent business leaders and media professionals, making the evening a rich gathering of diplomatic and cultural exchange. The ceremony formally began with the lighting of the traditional Panas lamp by Dornath Aryal, Ambassador of Nepal to the Sultanate of Oman. In his welcome address, Ambassador Aryal highlighted the symbolic, ecological and geopolitical significance of Sagarmatha. Ambassador Aryal also highlighted Nepal's initiation in climate dialogue through the first edition of the Sagarmatha Sambaad (Everest Dialogue), held in Kathmandu from 16 to 18 May 2025. Centered on the theme 'Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity,' the international conference welcomed many national and international delegates, and concluded with the issuance of a 25-point 'Sagarmatha Call for Action.' Ambassador Aryal concluded his remarks with a warm invitation for all attendees to visit Nepal, praising its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Ms. Nadhira Al Harthy, Sagarmatha summiteer, shared inspiring and engaging presentation of her Everest expedition. Ms. Al Harthy also recounted her experience as a panelist during the recent Sagarmatha Sambaad. The programme featured a video showcasing Nepal's breathtaking landscapes, including the Himalayan range and diverse cultural heritage. As part of the celebration, Ambassador Aryal honoured Ms. Nadhira Al Harthy with traditional shawl and felicitated Master Shiva Kochale, a 13-year-old teen who reached the Sagarmatha Base Camp in April 2025. As a token of appreciation, the Ambassador presented souvenirs and photo frame of Sagarmatha to the Guest of Honour and all the participants were also handed over beautiful photo frame of Sagarmatha. The evening was conducted by. Bishesh Kumar Sah, Second Secretary at the Embassy, who welcomed guests and guided the programme with warmth and poise. A ppt was played during the dinner depicting the natural beauty and diverse culture of Nepal. Earlier on Saturday morning and afternoon, the Embassy of Nepal held a flag hoisting ceremony and a brief event to observe Republic Day. During the event, the Ambassador congratulated and highlighted the importance of the Republic Day of Nepal.
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
‘On Thin Ice': UN Chief Sounds Alarm Over Rapid Himalayan Glacier Melt
16 May 2025 António Guterres issued the warning in a video message to the inaugural Sagarmatha Sambaad, or 'Everest Dialogue,' convened by the Government of Nepal in Kathmandu. ' Record temperatures have meant record glacier melt,' he said. 'Nepal today is on thin ice – losing close to one-third of its ice in just over thirty years. And your glaciers have melted 65 per cent faster in the last decade than in the one before.' Named after Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali), the international platform convened ministers, parliamentarians, climate experts, and civil society to focus on climate change, mountain ecosystems, and sustainability. Two billion futures at stake Glaciers in the region have served for centuries as vital freshwater reservoirs. Their accelerated melt now threatens not only local communities but vast populations downstream who rely on Himalayan-fed rivers. Reduced water flow in river systems such as the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Indus threatens not only water but also food production for nearly two billion people across South Asia. Combined with saltwater intrusion, this could trigger collapsing deltas and mass displacement, the UN chief warned. 'We would see low-lying countries and communities erased forever,' he said. Children raise their voices Ahead of the summit, Nepal's children and youth stepped into the spotlight with their own call to action. In a declaration submitted to the dialogue, over 100 children and young people demanded urgent and inclusive climate action that recognizes them as rights-holders and climate actors – not just passive victims. Among their key demands: ensuring child participation in climate decisions, supporting youth-led programmes, and promoting their innovations and climate action. ' The climate crisis is a child rights crisis – disproportionately impacting their health, nutrition, education and well-being,' said Alice Akunga, head of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Nepal, which supported the deliberations. 'Listening to the voices of the 'future of humanity' is critical to designing and implementing meaningful and lasting solutions to address the adverse effects of climate change on children and youth.' Stop the madness In his message, Mr. Guterres reiterated his call on the world to 'stop the madness' of fossil fuel-driven global warming, a warning he made during his previous visit to the Everest region in 2023. At the time, he stood amid glacial basins in the Himalayas, warning that the 'rooftops of the world' were rapidly vanishing. 'And that is why you are gathered together focused on Sambaad – dialogue,' the UN chief said on Friday, applauding Nepal's climate leadership, including reforestation programmes, early warning systems and its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. Act now The world must act without delay to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, he continued – the target set by the Paris Agreement on climate change – with the biggest emitters leading the way. This includes investing in renewable energy, fulfilling the $1.3 trillion climate finance goal agreed at COP29, doubling adaptation finance to at least $40 billion this year as pledged by developed countries, and providing robust, sustained support to the Loss and Damage Fund. ' Achieving these goals demands bold collaboration, ' Mr. Guterres concluded. 'The United Nations is your ally in this essential task.'
The Print
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
‘Sagarmatha Sambaad' in Nepal calls for action to save mountain ecosystem through international collaboration
'Climate change is an unprecedented challenge and the well-being of present and future generations of humankind depends on immediate and urgent response,' said a statement at the end of the dialogue. The three-day global dialogue from May 16 to 18 brought together over 300 participants, including experts and officials from governments, multilateral institutions, academia, civil society, the private sector, and media from India, China, Bhutan and Azerbaijan. Kathmandu, May 18 (PTI) The first edition of the 'Sagarmatha Sambaad' concluded in Kathmandu with the adoption of the 25-point 'Sagarmatha Call for Action', an urgent appeal to the international community to address the ongoing climate crisis, with a special focus on conserving the mountain ecosystems. The declaration acknowledged the urgency to maintain environmental integrity as mountain glaciers and the cryosphere are receding, exerting pressure on snow-fed river systems that constitute the lifeline to species, ecosystems and genetic resources. Convened under the theme 'Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity', the dialogue underscored the vulnerability of mountain regions in the wake of global warming, stressing the role these ecosystems play in maintaining planetary health. Participants highlighted that with glaciers melting at an unprecedented rate, the impacts of climate change were not confined to the highlands but ripple across lowland and coastal regions through disrupted hydrological cycles, biodiversity loss, and increased frequency of natural disasters. The 'Sagarmatha Call for Action' has reaffirmed the global commitment to the goals of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It stresses the urgency of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and calls for accelerated global efforts in emissions reduction, climate adaptation, loss and damage response, and equitable financial support to developing and climate-vulnerable nations. Particular concern was raised over the growing threats to glacier-fed river systems that serve as lifelines for billions of people. Delegates acknowledged that mountain communities contribute minimally to global emissions, but bear the disproportionate brunt of climate change impacts. The dialogue recognised the cascading effects of glacial loss, such as rising sea levels, floods, droughts, landslides and extreme weather events, which endanger both natural ecosystems and human livelihoods across the globe. The declaration encouraged countries to develop and implement National Adaptation Plans to respond to country-specific adaptation needs and calls for enhanced provisions and mobilisation of international financial support, particularly through grants and concessional financing for implementation of climate actions in developing countries, including countries in special situations. It also encouraged collective efforts to ensure equitable and simplified access for the developing countries, particularly those vulnerable to climate change, to the international climate finance from bilateral, multilateral and alternative sources, including the operating entities of the financial mechanisms and the funds under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. The declaration acknowledged the importance of promoting green, resilient and inclusive development, ranging from small to large-scale infrastructures in both rural and urban communities, as appropriate. It also encouraged dialogues on mountains and climate change agendas with special focus on the triple planetary crisis and short-lived climate forces, given their profound impact on regional climate monsoons, cryosphere and public health. It stresses the significance of clean energy, energy efficiency and transition, recognising the importance of powering the future through clean energy as well as green circular and bio-economies. The declaration promotes climate justice across all climate actions by ensuring fair, inclusive and evidence-based solutions to the developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. It emphasises the need to develop knowledge centres, share best practices and enhance the roles of local communities in climate policies, programmes and actions. It resolves to forging a common voice for urgent climate action that resonates from the Sagarmatha to the seas, and from highlands to islands. The declaration issued at the end of the three-day event calls for bold and transformative measures, including setting ambitious national climate targets, mobilising international finance through grants and concessional loans, and establishing a dedicated fund to support mountain countries in implementing sustainable development and climate adaptation strategies. PTI SBP PY PY PY This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Economic Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
China trying to rename Mount Everest? Beijing official calls it 'Chomolungma' over 10 times in 20-minute speech
China tries to rebrand Mount Everest at Nepal Summit At the inaugural session of Nepal's flagship climate dialogue, Sagarmatha Sambaad, Xiao Jie, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, repeatedly referred to Mount Everest by its Chinese name "Chomolungma", ANI reported. The event is named after the Nepali name for Everest, Sagarmatha, and was meant to underscore Nepal's stewardship of the world's tallest the official title of the event, Xiao, who delivered the keynote address in Chinese (translated live into English), used the term 'Chomolungma' at least ten times during his 20-minute speech. According to ANI, other dignitaries and attendees consistently referred to the mountain as either Sagarmatha or Mount official from Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking to ANI on condition of anonymity, said: 'We also noticed it, but we are in no power to say anything about it.' Present at the session were Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, among others. However, none of the senior officials commented publicly on the usage of the Chinese term during the high-level opening ceremony. The incident comes days after PM Oli publicly urged the global community to recognise the mountain by its Nepali name, Sagarmatha, rather than foreign or alternative names. His silence on Xiao's repeated reference to the Chinese name raised eyebrows in diplomatic and public circles. The three-day Sagarmatha Sambaad, held in Kathmandu, is being attended by over 200 participants from across the world, including representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Japan, Qatar, Pakistan, the UK, and the UAE, as well as major international organisations like the United Nations, World Bank, ADB, SAARC, BIMSTEC, and India rejected China's continued efforts to rename locations in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state remains an integral part of India. With inputs from ANI
