Latest news with #SagarmathaSambaad
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts issue warning over worsening crisis threatening food security around the globe: 'A threat to humanity'
Experts issue warning over worsening crisis threatening food security around the globe: 'A threat to humanity' One of the biggest consequences of rising global temperatures is the impact they have on food security. Across the globe, rising temperatures are threatening agricultural production, causing experts to sound the alarm, as was the case at a recent gathering held in Kathmandu, Nepal. What's happening? Key stakeholders at the Sagarmatha Sambaad forum in May discussed the challenges of Earth's overheating, underscoring the reality of food and water insecurity. According to reporting by Republica, one of the topics discussed was the current water crisis, which Dr. Mark Smith, executive director of the International Water Management Institute, said poses a "serious threat to the long-term sustainability for future generations but also to equality." "Scientists have considered this a threat to humanity," Smith added. With extreme weather — such as intense droughts and increasingly powerful storms — destroying crops and driving food prices up, vulnerable areas are grappling with climate-driven poverty and starvation. Leaders from around the world emphasized the need to take action and develop solutions to address all aspects of the current crisis. Why is global food insecurity important? Rising global temperatures are taking a serious toll on farmers trying to make a living and yield successful harvests. With intense droughts and more powerful storms ruining crops, farmers have increased their prices, which in turn makes everyday necessities less affordable and accessible. Global food insecurity not only threatens public health but also human rights. As vulnerable communities suffer from the consequences of extreme weather, they lose access to safe and nutritious food and water supplies. What's being done about climate-driven food insecurity? World leaders and organizations are advocating for climate-driven solutions to combat food insecurity and water shortages. However, these conversations are just the beginning. Experts have indicated that more steps need to be taken to practically tackle these global challenges on a larger scale. As Republica reported, Dr. Usha Jha, a former member of Nepal's National Planning Commission, warned at the forum that hunger and poverty could rise if precautions aren't taken. Do you worry about how much food you throw away? Definitely Sometimes Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Ken Shimizu, the Food and Agriculture Organization Country Representative for Nepal and Bhutan, raised another important point of discussion, noting how the climate crisis has brought on numerous socioeconomic challenges. "It is a further challenge to ease access to necessary financing, technology, and support," Shimizu said, per Republica. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Scoop
16-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
From Himalayan Melt To Drowning Shores, Children Lead The Climate Fight
16 June 2025 For young people living on the frontlines, climate change disrupts education, health and safety, casting a pall of uncertainty over the future. As countries race to meet climate goals, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) is stepping in to ensure that children's voices are not just heard, but central to shaping solutions. UN News spoke with the heads of UNICEF in Nepal and the Maldives to explore how the agency is empowering youth, embedding climate resilience in schools and driving child-inclusive climate action. A daily reality In a remote village in western Nepal, 11-year-old Sabu and her friends face danger daily on their way to school. Intensifying and unpredictable rains trigger landslides that wash away roads, and floods that submerge homes and farmland. ' Children live with anxiety and uncertainty. When it rains and there are floods, they have to trek, bridges are overrun, roads are muddy – and this is what they have to walk through day after day.' ' It becomes a huge burden for children to carry, ' says Alice Akunga, UNICEF Representative in Nepal. Thousands of kilometers away, in the low-lying Maldives, the threat takes a different but equally devastating form. Sea surges erode coastlines, flood homes and wash away infrastructure. ' Erosion is a daily reality for children here …young people see their trees falling, homes at risk and they grow up with the constant fear of losing their islands,' explains Edward Addai, UNICEF Representative in the Maldives. ' Climate change is not something far-off – it is part of their lives. ' Kids at the heart of climate action UNICEF's work in both countries is guided by a simple principle: children must be at the heart of climate solutions. This means not only shielding them from impacts but also empowering them to be agents of change. In Nepal, with the support of UN agencies, the government has integrated climate change education into the national curriculum. Classes go beyond theory, with teacher training, green school initiatives and practical actions like rainwater harvesting and waste management. 'We are supporting updating school safety frameworks…making them more resilient and absorb climate shocks such as heavy rains or floods,' Ms. Akunga said. At the recently concluded Sagarmatha Sambaad – the Everest climate talks – UNICEF supported a national youth-led dialogue that brought together over 100 children and young people from across Nepal to engage with policymakers and submit a Children and Youth Declaration to the Prime Minister. Youth leadership beyond classrooms In the Maldives, the agency's approach emphasises community engagement alongside education. UNICEF has helped establish environmental clubs in schools, providing safe spaces for children to learn, discuss and act on climate issues. It is also working with the health system to introduce solar energy to hospitals, supplanting fossil fuels. 'These clubs are critical for nurturing leadership and connecting school activities to community projects,' Mr. Addai added. Young people are also at the centre of the Government's climate plans, engaging in direct dialogue with policymakers and strengthening intergenerational accountability. One such initiative is the Youth Track to COP, a platform co-led by UNICEF and government partners to prepare young people to meaningfully engage in national and global climate discussions. Safeguarding the next generation UNICEF is also supporting efforts to integrate child-sensitive policies into the countries' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – the climate pledges under the Paris Agreement. Nepal's pledges include commitments to green schools and climate-resilient educational infrastructure. Children were actively involved in the consultations for Nepal's latest NDC, sharing firsthand stories of how climate impacts their daily lives. The Maldives' emphasises youth engagement, clean water access and strengthened health systems in climate-vulnerable areas. Young people are also shaping policy through national mock COPs and direct participation in global climate forums. This ensures that resilience efforts will extend beyond infrastructure to cover children's health, education and mental wellbeing. Getting it right, for everyone The UNICEF officials emphasised what a truly child-inclusive climate plan requires. ' It recognises how climate change impacts every aspect of a child's life – from their lungs to their learning to their access to clean water,' Ms. Akunga said. 'It ensures children can keep receiving health services, continue learning and adapt without anxiety or uncertainty. It's about securing their survival, growth, and development no matter what climate shocks come.' Mr. Edward added: ' If we get it right for children, we get it right for society.' 'Children are the future caretakers of their land and communities. A climate plan that ignores children's realities will fail everyone. But when children are healthy, educated, and included, society thrives,' Children leading the way Ms. Akunga recalled meeting Sabu, the 11-year-old girl, on a field visit. 'I met this child. I went to her village and met her parents… she has taken it upon herself and mobilised other young girls to learn about medicinal plants – how to nurture them and protect them from extreme weather conditions.' She spoke of how Sabu is transferring knowledge from elders to peers – bridging generations – and impressing her community with her passion. Despite the daunting challenges, children like Sabu are stepping up. They are organizing themselves, advocating for change and proposing solutions. 'Their voices matter… children are not just affected by climate change — they are essential partners in responding to it,' Ms. Akunga affirmed.
India Gazette
14-06-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
India gifts 40 ambulances to various health institutions across Nepal
Kathmandu [Nepal], June 14 (ANI): The Embassy of India in Kathmandu, on Saturday, gifted 40 ambulances to various health institutions, spread across different districts of Nepal. 'The vehicle handover ceremony was organised simultaneously at four locations, including the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, the Consulate General of India in Birgunj and the Pension Paying Offices of the Embassy of India in Pokhara and Dharan,' a release from the Indian Embassy in Nepal stated. As per the embassy, 40 ambulances were gifted today, which covers 33 districts across all 7 provinces of Nepal. 'Out of these, 22 ambulances were handed over in Kathmandu. Further, 7 ambulances were handed over in Birgunj, 7 ambulances in Pokhara and 4 ambulances in Dharan by representatives of the Government of India,' the release added. At the ceremony held in Kathmandu, the keys of the vehicles were handed over by Prasanna Shrivastava, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Kathmandu. During the event, the Deputy Chief of Mission highlighted that gifting of ambulances has been one of the long-standing initiatives of the Government of India under the Nepal-India Development Partnership to bolster the efforts of the Government of Nepal to strengthen its infrastructure in the health sector. He added that 'this initiative is a part of the larger robust and vibrant development partnership between India and Nepal, which has expanded, deepened and diversified over the last seven decades.' During their interactions with the Deputy Chief of Mission at the event, the beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for India's support towards various ongoing developmental projects in their districts and Nepal at large. They expressed confidence that the newly gifted ambulances will help enhance accessibility to health services in their respective regions. Similar sentiments were expressed by the beneficiaries in Birgunj, Pokhara and Dharan as well. The Government of India has been gifting ambulances for more than three decades to various beneficiary organisations in different parts of Nepal, giving high priority to Nepal's health sector. Since 1994, the Government of India has gifted 1049 ambulances across Nepal, including those gifted today. Similar vehicle-related logistical support has been extended to the Government of Nepal on previous occasions as well. To date, 300 school buses have been gifted to various educational institutions in Nepal. In 2022, 200 vehicles were gifted to the law enforcement agencies and the Election Commission of Nepal for the conduct of elections. More recently, in May 2025, 15 electric vehicles were gifted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal to facilitate the organisation of the first edition of the 'Sagarmatha Sambaad'. India and Nepal enjoy a multi-faceted and multi-sectoral development partnership that is reflective of the closeness of the people of both countries. The extension of these logistical provisions reflects the continued commitment of the Government of India to the development of Nepal and to further strengthening of the people-to-people links between both countries. Mayors and Chairpersons of Municipalities and Rural Municipalities of various districts of Bagmati, Karnali, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim provinces, as well as representatives of various beneficiary organisations, political representatives, and social workers, were also present on the occasion. (ANI)
Observer
31-05-2025
- 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
31-05-2025
- 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.
