The Government of Nepal is set to host the first-ever Sagarmatha Dialogue, a major international event, welcoming 175 foreign delegates from over 12 countries, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

High-level delegations from China and India will be among the participants. The visiting dignitaries will include vice-speakers of parliaments, ministers, and members of parliament. Notably, Xiao Jie, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China, is scheduled to deliver a special keynote address during the event.

From India, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav will attend the dialogue. Although Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited as the chief guest, he declined due to scheduling conflicts, leading to Minister Yadav’s participation instead.

The event will also feature delegates from prominent regional and international organizations including SAARC, BIMSTEC, World Bank, ADB, Loss and Damage Fund, IPCC, UNFCCC, UNESCAP, IRENA, Alpine Convention, as well as representatives from development agencies, universities, think tanks, research institutions, civil society, and NGOs.

Other notable foreign dignitaries expected to attend include:

• Ekiu Ina Akiko, Vice Foreign Minister of Japan
• Sharmin Soneya Murshed, Advisor to the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Bangladesh
• Jem Tshring, Minister of Energy, Bhutan
• Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Tourism and Environment, Maldives
• Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Natural Resources, Azerbaijan
• Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainability, United Arab Emirates

Delegates from Oman, Qatar, Brazil, Egypt, and other nations are also set to participate.

The Sagarmatha Dialogue aims to foster regional and global cooperation on pressing global challenges such as climate change, environmental sustainability, and regional partnerships, making it a landmark event in Nepal’s international diplomacy efforts.