Right Honourable Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli, Distinguished ministers, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it is a privilege to address the Sagarmatha Sambad which is inspired by the world's highest peak Sagarmatha also known as Everest (which) stands as a beacon of resilience and a symbol of human perseverance.

It also bears witness to the fragility of our planet reminding us that even the mightiest peaks are vulnerable. Nepal and the majestic Himalayas are on the front lines of today's climate crisis. 

This unique ecosystem with its glaciers and rivers is a lifeline for nearly 2 billion people across South Asia, sustaining water resources, food security, livelihoods, and economies. 

It is also a sanctuary of biodiversity nurturing numerous rare and endangered species. This unique landscape now faces an existential threat in the face of climate change, glaciers in the Hindukush Himalayan region are retreating at an alarming rate. 

This loss was 65% faster from the year 2011 to 2020 compared to the previous decade. The region also experienced historically low snow cover during the winter of 2024 to 2025 signaling an impending water challenge for millions of people. 

These are not new statistics. They are urgent calls to action to mitigate and adapt to climate change and its devastating impacts on life as we know it as part of the UN family the United Nations Development Program is supporting countries and communities across the world in tackling these challenges. 

Across Asia and the Pacific, we are strengthening early warning systems anticipating risks and building resilience to shocks and disasters. In Nepal, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the government and its people to fortify mountain communities against the escalating threats of climate change, this includes efforts supported by the Global Environment Facility and UNDP to address the risks posed by the glacial lake outburst floods at the Imja glacier lake by creating artificial channels to lower the lake level reinforcing the lake dam and implementing monitoring and early warning systems. 

We are working to expand these efforts to other Himalayan lakes. UNDP is also supporting the rollout of HydroMet stations in glacial watersheds to provide timely and accurate information on risks to communities. These initiatives mark notable progress, but the scale and speed of our response must increase. We need stronger transboundary cooperation because climate change does not respect borders. Therefore, UNDP has partnered with the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development headquartered in Kathmandu to enhance resilience and promote sustainable development across the Hindukush Himalayan region. 

UNDP is also supporting governments to access new sources of climate and nature finance that includes assisting the poor in developing an innovative green finance mechanism.

Nepal has also been an exceptional advocate for the mountain agenda ensuring that the voices of mountain communities are heard in international climate negotiations. In this spirit the UN General Assembly has designated 2023 to 2027 as the five years of action for the development of mountain regions and 2025 as the international year of glaciers preservation. 

Nepal's ambition to reach carbon neutrality by the year 2045 also sets an inspiring example for the world to follow. Through our flagship climate promise initiative, UNDP is proud to support over 140 countries globally including Nepal in driving transformative climate action towards a resilient and thriving future for all.

Rt. Hon’ble Prime minister, Excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen, Sagarmatha has long inspired generations to reach for the impossible. Let us rise to this challenge uniting an unwavering commitment to protect the Himalayan ecosystem, preserve its irreplaceable biodiversity, and secure a sustainable future for the billions of people who depend on it, for the fate of these mountains is inextricably linked to the future of our planet. Thank you for your kind attention.