On May 16, 2025, Nepal inaugurated the "Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity" conference in Kathmandu, bringing together regional leaders to address the accelerated melting of Himalayan glaciers and its profound implications for South Asia.

The three-day conference, part of the Sagarmatha Sambaad dialogue series, aims to foster international collaboration in combating climate change's impact on mountain ecosystems. With scientists warning that up to 80% of Himalayan glaciers could disappear by century's end, the event underscores the urgent need for global climate action.

The Sagarmatha Sambaad, initiated by the Government of Nepal, is a multi-stakeholder global dialogue forum named after Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali). Originally scheduled for April 2020, the inaugural session was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rescheduled for May 2025. The theme, "Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity," focuses on the impacts of climate change on mountain ecosystems and aims to contribute to identifying effective responses to combat climate change.

Ministers from India, Bhutan, and the Maldives are attending the conference, highlighting the shared concern over the environmental challenges posed by glacial melt. Nepal's Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli emphasized the global significance of protecting mountain ecosystems, stating, "Safeguarding the mountains is essential for the planet's well-being." Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba highlighted Nepal's vulnerability, citing recent catastrophic floods, droughts, and forest fires.

Scientific studies have revealed alarming trends in the region. Himalayan glaciers melted 65% faster from 2011 to 2020 compared to the previous decade. If current warming trends continue, up to 80% of these glaciers could vanish by 2100, leading to severe consequences such as floods, avalanches, and landslides. The Hindu Kush Himalaya region's glaciers are a crucial water source for around 240 million people in the mountainous regions, as well as for another 1.65 billion people in the river valleys below. The glaciers feed 10 of the world's most important river systems, including the Ganges, Indus, Yellow, Mekong, and Irrawaddy, directly or indirectly supplying billions of people with food, energy, clean air, and income.

The accelerated melting threatens water availability for millions, potentially leading to shortages for drinking, agriculture, and hydropower. Increased risks of floods, avalanches, and landslides pose significant threats to communities living in mountainous regions. Changes in water availability can disrupt irrigation patterns, leading to reduced crop yields and food insecurity. The potential loss of hydropower capacity due to reduced glacial meltwater can impact energy security and economic stability in the region.

The conference is expected to conclude with the Kathmandu Declaration, urging global climate action to protect mountain ecosystems and the billions who depend on them.