By AIT Public Affairs
20 May 2025 – Officials from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) actively participated in the First Sagarmatha Sambaad, a global multi-stakeholder dialogue hosted by the Government of Nepal from 16 to 18 May 2025 in Kathmandu. Held under the theme “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity,” the dialogue provided a platform for international collaboration on pressing climate issues, with a special focus on mountain ecosystems.
Nepal’s Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, inaugurated the three-day forum, emphasizing its importance in light of growing global distrust and weakened multilateralism. He stated that the Sagarmatha Sambaad will serve as a vital global dialogue platform to address climate change. He urged for collective action and highlighted the need to prioritize mountain issues and climate finance for a just and secure future.
The event brought together over 300 participants, including high-level delegations from 13 countries, as well as representatives from UN agencies, regional organizations, academic institutions, think tanks, NGOs, and civil society. Attendees engaged in 12 parallel sessions addressing a range of topics such as climate-induced disasters, ecosystem services, risk reduction and resilience, and climate financing.
Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology (SET) and Co-Director of the Global Water & Sanitation Center (GWSC) moderated the session “Bridging Science and Technology for Mountain Resilience,” which explored how traditional knowledge combined with emerging technologies like AI, remote sensing, and early warning systems can aid in climate adaptation in mountain areas. Using examples from Nepal and the region, panelists stressed the importance of context-specific, scalable solutions that merge local practices with scientific innovations for mountain adaptation and resilience.
Prof. Shobhakar Dhakal from the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (EECC) of School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD), moderated the session “Powering the Future: Harnessing Clean Energy,” which delved into the significance of clean and renewable energy for sustainable development. The discussion emphasized Nepal’s energy roadmap, regional power trade agreements with India and Bangladesh, and the critical role of cross-border collaboration. It highlighted the necessity for supportive policies, robust institutional frameworks, and private sector investment to achieve the targets set by the Paris Agreement and COP28.
Several prominent AIT alumni contributed to the Sagarmatha Sambaad, underscoring AIT’s strong network of climate and sustainability leaders across the region. AIT Board of Trustees Member Dr. Bindu Nath Lohani, in his capacity as Chief Advisor at the Global Green Growth Center, International Finance Forum (IFF) delivered a keynote address in the session on Sustainable Cities and Communities. Meanwhile, alumni Dr. Maheswar Rupakheti, Vice Chair of IPCC AR7 WG1, and Dr. Vishnu Prasad Pandey, Professor at the Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, moderated the sessions on Addressing the Triple Planetary Crisis: Air Pollution, Biodiversity Loss, and Climate Change, and Mountain Risk Assessment and Monitoring, respectively. Their participation reflected AIT’s enduring commitment to addressing complex environmental challenges through regional expertise and global collaboration. By contributing to high-level dialogues and sharing contextual insights, AIT reaffirmed its role as a thought leader in building resilience, particularly for fragile mountain ecosystems.
The forum highlighted the urgent threats facing mountain regions amid global climate change, while also emphasizing their crucial role in sustaining planetary health. Experts warned that glacial retreat, ecosystem degradation, and water cycle disruptions have wide-ranging impacts that extend far beyond the mountains, affecting both lowland and coastal communities.
Sagarmatha Sambaad concluded with the adoption of the “Sagarmatha Call for Action, ” a united global appeal urging decisive, inclusive, and science-based action to combat the worsening climate crisis, with a special emphasis on protecting and restoring fragile mountain ecosystems.
Some glimpses from the event
