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Former Nepali Ambassador to Spain and Oman Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal has launched Ambassadors Club, first of its kind in Nepal. The Club aims to serve as a neutral platform for resident and non-resident Ambassadors and heads of the mission.

In the program, it was announced that all resident and non-resident ambassadors credited to Nepal are honorary members of the Club.

The Club along with think-tank International Relations and Global Diplomacy Dialogue (IRGDD) and Nepal’s first diplomatic Magazine, The Diplomat was launched amid a special ceremony held in Kathmandu on May 18. Speaking at inaugural program, chief guest former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai said as global order is rapidly changing, Nepal cannot remain aloof from it. Bhattarai said the Club provides the soft space where trust is fostered and foreign policy influenced with vision and inclusivity.

Ambassador Parajuli said that this is not just the launch of an initiative — it is the beginning of a journey. “A journey that takes Nepal to the heart of global conversations. Nepal’s voice, rooted in peace and resilience, is stepping onto the world stage. In the global arena, Nepal carries the voice of hope, of clarity, and of courage. Small nations must rise — not in conflict, but in conviction. We must speak with clarity, engage with compassion, and continue forward with courage. In the face of global change, we must help shape it — not just react to it,” she said.

Sher further added, “We envision a circle of trust where ideas flow freely and voices, regardless of size, are heard equally. I am proud to announce that all ambassadors, heads of mission, and members of the diplomatic community are part of this shared vision. The IRGDD will ensure Nepal’s insights and ideals are shared with the world,” she said. “This moment highlights our unwavering commitment to peace, dialogue, and shared progress. As diplomats, Nepal must be a clear and confident voice—not just for itself, but for all who strive for equity and understanding.” Dr. Dhakal added, “Diplomacy must be inclusive. It does not follow colors, borders, or status. It follows values. We speak with one voice.”

UN Resident Coordinator to Nepal, Hana Singer Hamdy, said, “After days of devastation, it’s time to celebrate — and we bring you not one, not two, but three reasons to be inspired. Three powerful stories of creativity. Three bold glimpses into the future. This issue is rich with thoughtful articles and beautiful photographs — a visual and intellectual celebration of resilience and vision,” she said. “The cover story dives into the heart of global diplomacy, with a special emphasis on multilateralism in the context of climate change and diaspora engagement. It carries the energy and momentum of Sagarmatha Sambaad — a space where ideas flow freely, and voices, especially from the Global South, are amplified.”

The Nepal Geotechnical Society (NGS) marked its 31st anniversary with a symposium focused on disaster resilience and geotechnical challenges, reflecting on the decade since the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake. The event, held at The Plaza in Pulchowk, brought together engineers, geoscientists, urban planners, researchers, policy-makers, and representatives from government and professional institutions.

Themed “Geohazards and Geotechnics: Ten Years of Learnings and Rebuilding from the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake,” the symposium reviewed Nepal’s reconstruction efforts and emphasized the need for greater preparedness and innovation in geotechnical practices.

Key sessions included a presidential keynote by NGS President Mandip Subedi, who discussed lessons from the past decade and highlighted gaps in risk-sensitive development and seismic resilience. Technical memorial lectures by Lok Bijaya Adhikari and Narayan Marasini focused on seismic data trends, soil behavior, and engineering responses to recent disasters.

A high-level panel discussion moderated by Prof Netra Prakash Bhandary explored the theme “What have we learned and what do we still need to learn from the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake?” Panelists addressed progress in institutional and policy frameworks, while also cautioning against emerging risks such as unplanned urban expansion and climate-induced hazards.

The event also featured the announcement of GeoMandu 2026, the third edition of NGS’s international conference series. The second GeoMandu, held in 2024, saw participation from around 500 attendees, including 200 international delegates. Four volumes of conference proceedings, comprising over 120 technical papers, are being published by Springer.

Another key highlight was the launch of a new disaster report book, edited by Bhandary, Subedi, and Rajan KC. The book, dedicated to recent geo-disaster victims, analyzes the geotechnical dimensions of natural disasters in the past five years and aims to inform infrastructure planning and policy-making.

In the formal segment of the program, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Secretary Er. Keshab Kumar Sharma delivered closing remarks as Chief Guest. Prof Sushil Bahadur Bajracharya, Dean of the Institute of Engineering, attended as Special Guest. NGS General Secretary Er. Uday Raj Neupane presented the Society’s annual overview and announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Society of Consulting Architectural and Engineering Firms (SCAEF), aimed at enhancing technical collaboration.

The program included award distributions to professionals for contributions to geotechnical engineering, as well as remarks from senior officials, awardees, and institutional representatives. It concluded with a group photo session and a cultural dinner.

In addition, the event hosted poster and photography exhibitions on the theme of geohazards and geotechnics, with contributions from students and professionals. Selected entries will be featured in the upcoming NGS newsletter.

Organizers highlighted that as Nepal confronts increasing risks from climate change, urbanization, and aging infrastructure, platforms like NGS Day remain critical for fostering technical dialogue and promoting proactive disaster risk management.

Abdulla Ahmed Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability of the United Arab Emirates, and Ahmed bin Abdulrahman Al Ghardaqa, President of the Arab Youth Council for Climate Change (AYCCC), have attended the Sagarmatha Sambaad, which is being organized in Kathmandu.

Along with attending Sagarmatha Sambaad, the UAE delegation held a series of high-level meetings with key members of the Nepali government, including Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, the Minister for Forest and Environment, and the Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

Matters relating to advancing Nepal-UAE relations, including enhancing cooperation in renewable energy, sustainability, and climate resilience, were discussed on the occasion, said Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The delegation held talks with Abdullah Muksit, a representative of the UNFCCC and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), based in Geneva, who was attending the Sambaad as part of the international delegation.

The discussions centered on enhancing collaboration in areas such as climate change mitigation, renewable energy, sustainable water resource management, and inclusive economic development.

Balalaa has reiterated the UAE’s commitment to expanding its partnership with Nepal, underscoring the shared vision of advancing joint sustainability initiatives and fostering resilience and prosperity across both nations.

This visit marks a pivotal moment in the growing UAE–Nepal partnership, spotlighting shared commitments to addressing global environmental challenges and empowering youth-led innovation through climate diplomacy and long-term cooperation.

Indian Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav has emphasized India's unwavering commitment to global climate action and the need for collaborative efforts to safeguard the Himalayas and other mountain ecosystems. He expressed India’s dedication to addressing the global climate crisis. He noted, “It is a profound honour to represent India at this historic gathering. The name Sagarmatha, meaning ‘Head of the Sky,’ aptly encapsulates the majesty and the responsibility we bear in protecting the mountains that form the lifeblood of our planet.”

Yadav appreciated Nepal for hosting the Sambaad and stated that India, with its vast Himalayan region, shares a common ecological and cultural bond with its mountain neighbours. He stressed that South Asia accounts for only 4 percent of historical global CO₂ emissions, despite being home to nearly 25 percent of the global population. The Minister emphasized that the burden of the climate crisis continues to fall disproportionately on developing nations, while developed countries remain far from fulfilling their commitments to climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building.

Yadav further emphasized the immense biodiversity value of high-altitude ecosystems like the India and Nepal region. He stressed on the need for enhanced transboundary conservation efforts, calling on all Himalayan nations to collaborate under the International Big Cats Alliance to support joint protection initiatives for species such as snow leopards, tigers, and leopards. “The Alliance aims to foster conservation expertise, fund critical initiatives, and create a knowledge repository for the protection of these iconic species”, he stated.

The Minister also outlined a five-point call for global action to address the shared ecological challenges of mountainous regions.

• Enhanced Scientific Cooperation: Strengthening research collaboration, and monitoring cryospheric changes, hydrological cycles, and biodiversity.

• Building Climate Resilience: Investing in climate adaptation measures, early warning systems for disasters like Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), and climate-resilient infrastructure in mountain areas.

• Empowerering Mountain Communities: Ensuring that the welfare, needs and aspirations of local communities are at the heart of policy-making and their benefit from green livelihoods and sustainable tourism. Their traditional knowledge is an invaluable resource.

• Providing Green Finance: Making available adequate and predictable climate finance as per the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement for mountain Nations to implement adaptation and mitigation strategies effectively.

• Recognizing Mountain Perspectives: Ensuring that the unique vulnerabilities and contributions of mountain ecosystems are suitably featured in global climate negotiations and sustainable development agendas.

On the sidelines of the Sagarmatha Sambaad 2025, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change met with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, where the two leaders engaged in a productive discussion on strengthening India-Nepal cooperation in the field of environment. He also called on the Prime Minister Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli. He conveyed to him greetings from the leadership in India and congratulated him for successfully organizing the first edition of Sagarmatha Sambaad. Both leaders noted the close and friendly relations between India and Nepal which are deeply rooted in historical, cultural, civilizational and people-to-people ties.