Kathmandu, May 29, 2025
The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) successfully organized the 72nd International Sagarmatha Day and the World Summiteers Summit 2025 on Thursday at Hotel Yak & Yeti, Kathmandu. The event celebrated the achievements of the mountaineering community while addressing pressing issues related to the sustainability of Nepal’s iconic peaks, including Mount Everest.
The event brought together a diverse group of national and international climbers, policymakers, environmental experts, and other stakeholders. Chief Guest Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli underscored the urgent need for sustainable mountaineering practices, emphasizing the importance of preserving Mount Everest. “Not everyone should climb Everest,” he stated. “We must rethink our standards and protect the mountain for future generations.” He also encouraged public input for ongoing reforms in Nepal’s tourism policies.
Tourism Minister Badri Prasad Pandey, who chaired the program, announced structural and policy reforms aimed at improving the mountaineering sector. “The ministry is committed to strengthening partnerships with the private sector and ensuring Sagarmatha Day has a greater impact in the coming years,” he said.
The Chief Minister of Koshi Province, Hikmat Kumar Karki, highlighted the significance of environmental protection and federal collaboration in addressing the effects of climate change in Nepal’s mountainous regions.
Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, stressed the global importance of the World Summiteers Summit. “This summit is not just about reaching summits but about building legacies—for people, for nature, and for the generations to come,” he remarked. He further emphasized that the voices of local mountain communities, who are the true stewards of these sacred landscapes, must be at the forefront of discussions about the Himalayas.
The event featured a high-level panel discussion titled “Climbing for a Cause: Mountaineering as a Platform for Advocacy and Change,” where experts deliberated on how mountaineering could inspire environmental conservation and social advocacy.
To recognize exceptional contributions to mountaineering and mountain tourism, the government presented the prestigious Sagarmatha National Award to Mingma Gyaljen Sherpa for his extraordinary achievement of climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters without supplemental oxygen.
The event concluded with the unveiling of the official logo for the World Summiteers Summit and a thought-provoking video presentation showcasing the challenges and opportunities facing the Himalayan region.
As the celebrations concluded, the overarching message was clear: the future of mountaineering and the preservation of Nepal’s iconic peaks depend on collective responsibility, sustainable practices, and the empowerment of local communities.
