To raise the issue of climate change strongly before the international community, Nepal organized a special program in New York, USA, titled “From Everest to the Sea.”
Led by Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, Nepal organized a high-level special event at the United Nations Headquarters titled “Everest to the Sea: A Call to Action for a Climate-Resilient Future.” The event focused on climate change and called for stronger international action.
Nepal decided to hold the high-level special event following the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi region. High-level representatives from Nepal, the United Nations, and various countries around the world participated in the event. Nepal also presented a short video depicting the Bhotekoshi floods.
Addressing the event, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said that mountains, rivers, oceans, and coastal and island regions are interconnected ecological systems in terms of climate change, making collective and coordinated efforts necessary to address the climate crisis. He emphasized that because the climate system does not recognize political boundaries, the shared climate risks stretching from the mountains to the sea must be addressed in an integrated manner.
Welcoming participants on behalf of the Government and people of Nepal, he thanked the co-hosting countries—Bhutan, Maldives, New Zealand, Samoa, and Tajikistan—as well as United Nations agencies, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific for their cooperation in organizing the event.
Foreign Minister Khanal said, “Your partnership has brought the perspectives of mountain, island, and coastal regions into a single dialogue.” Noting that Nepal is currently going through a difficult situation, Minister Khanal said that on August 26, a large mass of rock and glacier in the Langtang area collapsed, causing loss of life and property as well as damage to critical infrastructure. He said he had described the incident as a “Himalayan tsunami,” adding, “The wounds are still fresh. In such circumstances, this is an appropriate time to discuss this issue.”
Foreign Minister Khanal said the concept of “From Everest to the Sea” is based on the reality that the climate system extends beyond political boundaries. Describing Mount Everest and the Himalayan region as the “Third Pole,” home to the largest concentration of ice and snow outside the polar regions, he said the region contains more than 63,700 glaciers.
He recalled that in 2023, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described glaciers as “icy reservoirs.” Noting that water flowing from glaciers travels through rivers, sustaining ecosystems and communities before eventually reaching the sea, Minister Khanal said Nepal has already lost approximately one-third of its glaciated area over the past three decades.
Foreign Minister Khanal said glacier degradation is altering river flows and affecting communities in downstream areas, while island and coastal countries are facing sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and displacement. “On a map, mountains and the sea may appear far apart, but nature tells us otherwise,” he said.
Minister Khanal put forward five proposals to address the climate crisis. He said science, policy, and investment must recognize the ecological continuity between mountains, freshwater systems, and oceans. He also called for greater priority to be given to mountains in climate processes and for them to be systematically incorporated into the United Nations climate change framework.
He emphasized the need to maintain the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, accelerate emissions reductions, and implement agreements reached under climate processes concerning the transition away from fossil fuels. He also called for stronger early-warning systems, resilient infrastructure, anticipatory action based on forecasts, and scientific cooperation.
Noting the need for adequate, predictable, and easily accessible climate finance, technology, and capacity-building support for developing countries, Minister Khanal stressed that the Loss and Damage Fund must be provided with sufficient resources and made effective and accessible. He said, “Climate justice becomes tangible when the support countries receive reflects responsibility, capacity, and the level of risk.”
Highlighting Nepal’s own contributions to climate-change mitigation and environmental protection, he said that approximately 46 percent of Nepal’s land area is covered by forests, clean hydropower and electric transportation are expanding, and community-led conservation initiatives form an important foundation of environmental management.
Minister Khanal recalled that Nepal hosted the first “Sagarmatha Dialogue” in 2025, focusing on climate change, the mountains, and the future of humanity. He said Nepal looks forward to welcoming the international community to the second edition next year.
He said Nepal envisions “From Everest to the Sea” as a platform for knowledge, partnership, and practical cooperation. “The water flowing from our glaciers continues its journey. Likewise, the consequences of the decisions we make today will continue their journey,” he said.
Foreign Minister Khanal emphasized that the concept of “From Everest to the Sea” should serve as a foundation for understanding and cooperation in protecting our shared planet. He concluded, “I also call for developing ‘From Everest to the Sea’ as a foundation for understanding our shared planet and working together to protect it.”
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