Kathmandu, May 17, 2025 — The Sagarmatha Sambaad, Nepal's premier platform for global climate discourse, has placed an urgent spotlight on the catastrophic connection between melting Himalayan glaciers and rising sea levels in distant island nations. The event underscores the shared vulnerability of high-altitude and low-lying regions, emphasizing the pressing need for global unity in addressing the climate crisis.
Since 2000, the world has lost over 6,500 billion tonnes of ice, a chilling indicator of a rapidly warming planet. Nepal’s glaciers, iconic sentinels of the Himalayas, could shrink by up to 80% by 2100, according to scientific projections. This phenomenon not only endangers water security for millions but also accelerates global sea-level rise, threatening island communities from the Maldives to the Pacific archipelagos.
Speaking at the forum, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal stated, “Highlands and islands are intrinsically connected by this crisis. Only through multilateralism can we muster the bold action needed to limit warming to 1.5°C, enhance climate adaptation, and secure equitable climate finance.”
The Hindu Kush Himalaya region, often referred to as the "Third Pole," is melting faster than ever. Reports from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) reveal that these glaciers melted 65% more rapidly in the 2010s compared to the previous decade. The region, home to nearly two billion people dependent on its water systems, faces a future of uncertainty as glacial retreat intensifies.
In a poignant moment earlier this year, Nepal conducted a symbolic funeral for the Yala Glacier, one of its most prominent ice masses, now reduced to a fraction of its former glory. The ceremony served as a wake-up call, reminding the world of the urgency to act before more glaciers succumb to the warming climate.
The Sagarmatha Sambaad’s discussions echo the sentiments of this dire reality, calling for transformative global action. By fostering collaboration among nations, the forum seeks to champion stronger commitments to greenhouse gas reductions, resilient adaptation strategies, and the mobilization of climate finance for vulnerable regions.
As the world watches, the highlands and islands—though geographically distant—stand united in their call for a sustainable future. Their shared struggle highlights the interconnectedness of our planet and the collective responsibility to safeguard it for generations to come.
This year’s Sagarmatha Sambaad is not just a dialogue; it’s a declaration of solidarity in the face of a common enemy: the climate crisis. Will the global community rise to the challenge? The stakes have never been higher.
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