Kathmandu, May 18, 2025 – Nepal’s first biennial international dialogue, Sagarmatha Sambaad 2025, held from May 16-18 under the theme "Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity," where experts and leaders from 37 nations were gathered, concluded with a strong 25-point Sagarmatha Call for Action.
The Right Hon. Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, stated: "The Sagarmatha Sambaad, named after Mt. Sagarmatha (Everest), symbolizes moral clarity and the pursuit of justice. Humanity cannot survive without mountains—our ‘mountain guardians’—which sustain half the world. Those who pollute the most must do the most to support vulnerable nations."

UN Secretary-General H.E. Mr. António Guterres expressed solidarity, acknowledging Nepal’s climate leadership while issuing a dire warning: "Nepal today is on thin ice." Himalayan glaciers are melting 65 times faster, threatening major rivers like the Ganges, which "could disappear forever," increasing risks of water scarcity, floods, and landslides. Echoing his global call from last year, he urged the world to "stop the madness."

Mr. Xiao, representing China, called for "true multilateralism," reaffirming that China will "not slow down its climate actions nor reduce support for global climate efforts," in line with the Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) principle. He announced that "China will submit its 2025 NDCs covering all sectors and greenhouse gases before COP30" and concluded with a powerful quote: "No mountain is too high for those who seek its peak."

H.E. Mr. Mukhtar Babayev of Azerbaijan warned that "in just seven years, Azerbaijan has lost nearly 20% of its glaciers." He highlighted key COP29 outcomes, including the Glaciers to Farms Initiative (mobilizing 3.5 billion for climate−resilient water and agriculture systems) and a historic agreement to raise 300 billion annually by 2035 for developing nations—"the largest financial goal ever set under the UN process."

H.E. Shri Bhupender Yadav emphasized that Sagarmatha symbolizes both majesty and responsibility, highlighting the urgent climate threats to Himalayan livelihoods and ecosystems.

The summit brought together global leaders, climate experts, policymakers, and youth from around the  37 nations to address the escalating threats of climate change, from mountainous regions to islands.

Mountains: The Climate Crisis Frontline
The Sambaad emphasized that limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C is non-negotiable for the survival of mountain ecosystems and downstream communities. The Himalayas, often called the "Third Pole," play a critical role in regulating hydrological cycles, supporting food security, water resources, agriculture, and clean energy for billions.

A stark reminder came just after the summit, when a glacial lake outburst in Humla forced 15 families to relocate. Similarly, the catastrophic monsoon rains of September 2024 in Kathmandu, which claimed over 250 lives and caused $350 million in damages, the Thame GLOF outburst had huge losses and damages, including houses, schools, trails, hydropower, etc., and resulted in the displacement of the village was linked to climate change. Just in Spain a day ago, there were heavy floods, and in Switzerland had the were landslides forcing people to migrate and move all the livestock. These events underscore the urgent need for global solidarity in protecting vulnerable regions.

Climate Finance and Adaptation: A Call for Equity and Action
During the discussions, Ms. Pam Pearson, a leading climate expert, warned, "It is not too late to limit warming to 1.5°C, but we are killing time." The executive director of the Loss and Damage Fund stressed the importance of utilizing available funds effectively to compensate affected communities and build resilience. Meanwhile, the World Bank urged smarter investments in climate adaptation and mitigation.
Many experts and leaders highlighted the need for increased climate finance and transboundary cooperation to tackle the crisis holistically. Governments, UN agencies, private sectors, and civil society were called upon to unite for inclusive action, ensuring that marginalized groups—women, youth, indigenous communities—are at the forefront of decision-making.

Air Pollution and the Paradox of Modern Development
Another critical issue raised was air pollution, which continues to compromise public health globally. Despite scientific consensus on the dangers of rising emissions, progress remains sluggish. "We are witnessing these crises in real-time, yet we delay action. Where are our decisions and discussions heading?

The Next Generation: Skills, Unity, and Hope
A pressing concern was the lack of preparedness among younger generations to face climate challenges. While technology offers tools for innovation, over-reliance on it has led to a skills gap, limited real-world experience, and a disconnect from nature. 
Dr. Bhawani Koirala highlighted overlooked barriers: "Poverty, toxic air, and weak governance paralyze climate progress." He urged: "Nepal’s youth must pioneer mountain medicine and climate tech. Our peaks can become laboratories for global solutions."

The Sambaad aimed to inspire youth to take collective action, demanding accountability, fostering resilience, and driving innovative and sustainable solutions.

The Way Forward: Unity in Action
The Sambaad opened with the official unveiling of the Nepal Government’s NDC 3.0 by the Prime Minister of Nepal and its ceremonial handover to COP29 President, His Excellency Mr. Mukhtar Babayev. The event concluded, which was chaired by the Honorable Foreign Minister, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, with recommendations to integrate and address the mountain agenda in all the relevant UN processes, mobilize finance institutions for mountain resilience, and strengthen partnerships between mountain, island, and coastal nations.

Just as the Sagarmatha stands tall, reminding us of our resilience, let the outcomes of this Sambaad remind us of our resolve." She concluded with a universal message: "Dialogue leads to understanding; understanding leads to action; and action leads to hope."-Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba

The Sagarmatha Call for Action urges Immediate emission cuts to stay within 1.5°C, Increased funding for adaptation and loss & damage in vulnerable nations, strengthened regional cooperation for disaster risk reduction, inclusive climate policies empowering women, youth, and indigenous groups, and redirecting financial resources from conflict to climate resilience.
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We stand at the foot of Sagarmatha, the roof of the world, to sound an alarm that echoes across continents. The mountains are crumbling—not from age, but from our choices. This Sambaad must be remembered not for speeches, but for the world’s response. Will you climb with us?”
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The time for debate is over. The time for action is now.
(For the full Sagarmatha Call for Action, visit the Official Sambaad Website.)
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The Post-COP 29 Sharing Program, held on December 9, 2024, at Dhokaima Cafe, brought together key stakeholders to reflect on Nepal's participation in COP29. Organized by CANSA Nepal and CEN in collaboration with OXFAM in Nepal, Prakriti Resource Center, and ENPHO, the event focused on reviewing Nepal’s achievements and challenges, providing insights into thematic outcomes, and charting a path forward for impactful engagement at COP30 in Brazil.

Photo 1: Prakash Lama, CEN, Welcoming the participation and setting up the context

In the opening remarks of the program agenda, Manjeet Dhakal, Climate Expert and Advisor to the Minister of MoFE provided a comprehensive overview of the outcomes from COP29 and Nepal's strategic engagement. He reflected on the conclusion of a 9-year-long carbon trade (Article 6.4 & 6.2) initiative at COP29, which opens new pathways for progress, even though its successful implementation is challenging in a long-term context. He also addressed the challenges around climate finance, acknowledging some positive steps but highlighting the lack of satisfactory outcomes in this critical area. On the part of mitigation, the UAE Consensus to subsidize the fossil fuel wasn’t discussed in the negotiation due to time bound which was passed for the next year to discuss on this agenda. Furthermore, Mr. Dhakal emphasized the need for research on climate change impacts across various sectors, underscoring the role of CSOs, NGOs, and academia in advocacy efforts. He concluded by mentioning the hearings in the International Court of Justice, in Hague, Netherlands championed by Pacific students, led by Vanuatu, where the Honorable Foreign Minister of Nepal is sharing the disproportionate impacts faced by Nepal. He viewed this case as a potential catalyst for amplifying the call for climate justice and urging major emitters to take responsibility for their emissions and support vulnerable countries in their climate efforts.

Photo: Manjeet Dhakal, Climate Expert and advisor to the Minister of MoFE, sharing the overview of the COP29 (focused on Mitigation)

The program commenced with a welcome speech and opening remarks by Dr. Sindhu Prasad Dhungana, Joint Secretary, MoFE. He emphasized Nepal's efforts to coordinate technical and political leadership in addressing climate change. Highlighting the importance of robust institutional frameworks, he pointed out gaps in preparedness and the need for collaborative approaches to maximize the nation's impact on the global stage.

Photo: Dr. Sindhu Prasad Dhunghana, Joint Secretary, MoFE sharing Nepal’s participation in COP29, challenges, and way forward

Photo: Raju Pandit Chhetri, Executive Director, PRC, sharing brief presentation of the COP29 Outcome and Finance (NCQG)

Raju Pandit Chhetri highlighted both progress and challenges in climate finance and Nepal’s negotiation preparedness at COP29. He discussed advancements under the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), which aims to scale climate finance to USD 300 billion annually by 2035 and USD 1.3 trillion annually from diverse sources. However, he pointed out the ambiguity in defining climate finance and Nepal's difficulty in accessing funds due to its transition from LDC status and institutional gaps. Many smaller projects, crucial for local adaptation, are deprioritized due to funding thresholds.

He emphasized the importance of institutional strengthening to improve fund mobilization and governance, private sector engagement in adaptation and mitigation projects, and research to build evidence-based advocacy. He noted that Nepal's negotiation efforts were hindered by inadequate coordination, limited capacity, and the absence of a unified stance. While LDCs collectively demanded USD 220 billion annually, their voices were diluted due to a lack of strategic alignment.

To prepare for COP30, he recommended establishing a dedicated climate finance authority, fostering private-sector participation, and aligning national goals with global climate policies. He stressed the need for stronger collaboration across government, civil society, and academia to ensure Nepal’s effective participation in future negotiations. By addressing these gaps, Nepal can better secure resources and influence global climate action.

Thematic Outcome Sharing and Way Forward

The thematic outcomes sharing, successfully moderated by Shreya K.C., Policy Advisor at CEN, provided a dynamic platform for extracting maximum insights from thematic experts. The session encouraged open dialogue and allowed the audience to engage directly with experts on critical issues related to Nepal’s participation in COP29 and the way forward. The session also allowed for an in-depth exploration of Nepal’s challenges and opportunities in various thematic areas, including finance, adaptation, mitigation, gender, youth, and media engagement. Experts representing key thematic areas shared their perspectives, addressed challenges, and proposed actionable solutions to enhance Nepal's climate engagement.

Photo: Shreya K.C., Policy Advisor, CEN,  Facilitating the thematic sharing and discussion

Sandeep Chamling Rai, Global Lead-WWF Nepal, focused on adaptation and loss and damage, discussing progress on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), which is set to finalize indicators by COP30. He highlighted the operationalization of the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage (SNLD), which supports vulnerable nations in addressing climate impacts.

Despite these developments, adaptation financing and loss and damage support remain inadequate. He emphasized transformative adaptation approaches that consider future climate scenarios and enhance resilience for both upstream and downstream communities. He also pointed out the need for integrating cultural, biodiversity, and translocation considerations into national adaptation strategies.

Photo: Sandip Chamling Rai (WWF Nepal), Sharing the response to the adaptation and loss & damage outcome

Rajan Thapa, WWF Nepal, shared the critical importance of accountability and transparency in addressing climate change, particularly in the context of the Baku Transparency Report and the Enhancing Transparency Framework (ETP). He highlighted the significant role these tools play in improving the transparency of climate actions and ensuring that all parties meet commitments. Mr. Thapa also pointed out key discussions at the event, focusing on the support needed for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to build their capacity for transparency and accountability. He noted that the Standing Bodies (SB) must prioritize this support to help vulnerable nations align with global climate goals. Furthermore, Mr. Thapa emphasized that nations must submit their transparency reports by the established deadline of December, as outlined in the Biennial Reporting Templates (BRT). This, he stated, would not only strengthen global cooperation but also ensure that the efforts of all parties are transparent, measurable, and accountable.

Pragya Sherchan, Program Coordinator at PRC, discussed gender dimensions in climate action, emphasizing the extension of the Lima Work Program on Gender for another decade. While gender was recognized as a cross-cutting issue under the Global Goal on Adaptation, she pointed out the resistance from some countries, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which weakened discussions on gender-responsive climate finance.

She recommended incorporating gender into adaptation and finance indicators and strengthening advocacy efforts to ensure gender justice. Localizing global gender frameworks, such as the Lima Work Program, and engaging women in decision-making processes were identified as key priorities.

Photo: Pragya Sherchan (left) sharing a response to gender outcome and Aakriti Dotel (right) sharing the Nepalese youth engagement at COP29, challenges, and way forward

Akriti Dotel, Advocacy and Campaign coordinator at NYCA, reflected on youth engagement at COP29, where participation was largely limited to side events and networking. Youth representatives struggled to gain access to negotiation platforms, highlighting a gap in pre-COP capacity-building and resource mobilization.

She stressed the need for meaningful youth involvement in future COPs through training programs, grassroots outreach, and stronger connections between local initiatives and global advocacy. She also emphasized post-COP knowledge sharing to empower communities and amplify youth voices.

Shree Ram Subedi, a Journalist at NRM, highlighted the media’s role in shaping Nepal’s climate narrative. While media coverage of COP29 brought attention to Nepal’s participation, it often focused on peripheral issues rather than substantive outcomes. Subedi called for evidence-based reporting to amplify Nepal’s voice in global forums, promote transparency, and hold policymakers accountable.

He also noted the need for collaboration between media and stakeholders to disseminate climate science effectively and raise awareness of climate finance, adaptation, and mitigation priorities.

Photo: Shree Ram Subedi, Journalist, Response to the Media engagement at COP29, challenges and the way forward

Q&A Highlights

1. Climate Finance and Negotiation Preparedness

• Question by Laxman Khatri, Li-BIRD:

• How can Nepal strengthen its negotiation team and ensure better preparation for COP meetings?

• Which countries opposed the USD 300 billion pledge, and what mechanisms were discussed to implement the finance agenda effectively?

• What are the challenges in addressing biodiversity loss under climate finance frameworks?

• Response by Raju Pandit Chhetri:

• Negotiation preparedness remains a critical gap. Despite efforts to train representatives, many trained individuals could not attend COP29.

• The pledge of USD 300 billion by 2035 lacked clarity and concrete mechanisms for disbursement, with vague language limiting support for LDCs.

• Biodiversity loss requires dedicated frameworks and stronger advocacy to integrate into global finance mechanisms.

2. Adaptation and Loss & Damage

• Question 

• How can Nepal enhance transformative adaptation and address the cultural, biodiversity, and translocation issues linked to loss and damage?

• What does the operationalization of the Santiago Network mean for Nepal?

• Response by Sandeep Chamling Rai, WWF:

• Transformative adaptation should involve upstream and downstream community resilience, considering future climate scenarios.

• The Santiago Network offers a framework for addressing loss and damage, but funding commitments remain weak. Nepal must integrate these mechanisms into national policies and advocate for stronger support.

3. Gender Inclusion in Climate Action

• Question by Shreenidhi from Oxfam Nepal:

• How can Nepal ensure that gender issues are addressed in climate-related policies and funding mechanisms?

• Response by Pragya Sherchan:

• Nepal needs to integrate gender as a measurable indicator in climate adaptation and finance frameworks. Advocacy efforts must address resistance at the international level, such as opposition from some countries to gender-specific policies.

• Gender action plans, like those outlined in the Lima Work Program, should be localized to ensure practical implementation.

4. Youth Engagement and Grassroots Connection

• Question by Samiksha from Sarlahi (Representing Youth Groups):

• What inspired youth participation in COP29, and how can they connect with grassroots communities after the conference?

• How can real victims of climate change be informed and engaged effectively?

• Response by Akriti Dotel:

• Youth participation at COP29 involved side events and networking, but there was a lack of representation in formal negotiations.

• Moving forward, youth must focus on building capacities and linking grassroots knowledge to global advocacy. This includes post-COP outreach programs and stronger pre-COP training initiatives.

Photo: Questions from the floor

5. Role of Media and Transparency

• Question by Barsha Parajuli, NGO Federation:

• Why does Nepal struggle to generate scientific evidence and use case studies to support its climate advocacy?

• How can the media play a more constructive role in climate transparency and communication?

• Response by Shree Ram Subedi:

• Limited institutional coordination and lack of resources hinder Nepal's ability to generate robust scientific evidence.

• Media must focus on data-driven reporting to amplify Nepal’s position in global forums. Proper mobilization of media is essential for effective transparency and advocacy.

6. Policy-Science Integration and Private Sector Engagement

• Question by Nagmendra Dahal, CANSA/NWCF:

• How can Nepal better integrate policy, science, and practice to address climate change?

• What role can the private sector play in adaptation and mitigation efforts?

• Response by Raju Pandit Chhetri:

• Nepal must strengthen the linkage between academia, policy, and grassroots practice. Building human resources and institutional frameworks is key.

• The private sector can contribute significantly to adaptation and mitigation efforts, but targeted programs are needed to encourage MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) to participate.

Photo: (Left) Shreedhari Pandey Questions from the floor & (right) Raju Pandit Chhetri responding to questions

Takeaway and Suggestions for COP30

The final session involved group discussions on lessons learned and recommendations for COP30 in Brazil. Participants stressed the importance of institutional reform, research-based advocacy, and strategic partnerships to strengthen Nepal’s position on climate finance, adaptation, and mitigation. The integration of mountain diplomacy into the global agenda was seen as a critical step for Nepal to assert its unique vulnerabilities and contributions.

The Post-COP29 Sharing Program highlighted significant achievements, such as advancements in carbon markets and climate finance frameworks, while identifying gaps in adaptation, gender inclusion, and youth participation. Moving forward, Nepal must focus on institutional strengthening, private sector engagement, and grassroots advocacy to effectively address its climate challenges and leverage global platforms for impactful action. 

Photo: Namindra Dahal, (CANSA Nepal Board) Closing Remarks

Key Outcomes and way forward:

Outcomes 

1. Highlighted Nepal’s strategic participation and achievements at COP29, including progress in climate finance and carbon market mechanisms.

2. Identified gaps in access to climate finance, institutional frameworks, and representation of youth and gender in climate action.

3. Fostered collaboration among government, civil society, academia, youth, and media to address climate challenges collectively.

4. Provided thematic insights and actionable recommendations for strengthening Nepal’s climate advocacy and negotiation preparedness.

5. Reinforced the importance of evidence-based advocacy, capacity-building, and grassroots engagement for impactful climate action.

Way Forward

•  Develop robust institutional frameworks to improve access to climate finance, operationalize carbon trading, and address loss and damage effectively.

•   Enhance negotiation preparedness through year-round capacity-building for negotiators, youths, and grassroots stakeholders.

• Strengthen research initiatives and advocate evidence-based policies to support adaptation, mitigation, and biodiversity conservation.

• Foster private sector participation in renewable energy, low-carbon development, and sustainable infrastructure projects.

• Localize and implement gender-responsive and youth-inclusive climate action strategies to ensure equitable representation.

• Leverage media for transparency, awareness, and advocacy to amplify Nepal’s voice in global climate forums.

• Strategically align national policies with global climate goals, prioritizing mountain diplomacy and cohesive stakeholder collaboration for COP30.