Bangladesh seeks regional cooperation to address impacts of climate change
Environment adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo stresses the need to protect mountain ecosystems and vulnerable communities
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo yesterday (5 June) emphasised the need to work together to address the impacts of climate change on mountains and communities dependent on them and called for regional cooperation for climate action.
He also commended the role of mountaineers in promoting environmental awareness, building friendship, and strengthening people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and Nepal.
The Environment Minister was speaking at a programme as the chief guest in the evening.
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To commemorate the 73rd International Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) Day, the Embassy of Nepal organised the 'Expedition Video Contest' under the theme 'Mountains, Milestones, and Memories', with the support of Bangla Mountaineering and Trekking Club (BMTC), in Dhaka.
A total of 16 expeditioners representing various mountaineering and trekking clubs across Bangladesh participated in the Expedition Video Contest, sharing inspiring stories and experiences through their short videos.
The programme also featured the screening of the documentary Pasang: In the Shadow of Everest, which tells the inspiring story of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to summit Mount Everest.
Formal session of the programme commenced with a video message from Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal Shisir Khanal, who highlighted Sagarmatha as an embodiment hope, strength, and resilience and underscored the need to protect fragile mountain ecosystems in the face of climate change.
Speaking on the occasion, Nepal's Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari stressed the significance of International Sagarmatha Day as a commemoration of the first successful ascent of the highest peak and a reflection on humanity's close relationship with nature.
He underscored Nepal's commitment to preserving the mountain ecosystems and promoting sustainable mountain tourism.
Expressing satisfaction over the growing number of Bangladeshi mountaineers and adventure enthusiasts, the Ambassador commended their role in further strengthening people-to-people relations between the two countries..
Chairperson of BRAC Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, nature enthusiast and founder of Bangla Mountaineering and Trekking Club (BMTC) Enam Ul-Haque, and Judge of the Contest Kha Ma Harum also spoke during the event.
The chief guest and the Ambassador felicitated Mount Everest summiteer Nurunnahar Nimni, who successfully climbed the world's highest peak on 27 May 2026, becoming the third Bangladeshi woman to achieve the feat.
Likewise, 23 mountaineers who summited Nepal's peaks above 6,000 metres during 2025/26 were also honoured with certificates of appreciation during the event.
The top three videos of the Contest - "Sea to Summit" by Ikramul Hasan Shakil, "Everest and Lhotse" by Dr. Babar Ali, and "Summit is a Woman" by Nishat Majumder and Muntasir Mamun- were awarded with crests and certificates by the chief guest Mintoo and Ambassador Bhandari.
The event brought together government officials, diplomats, mountaineers, trekkers, adventure enthusiasts, nature photographers, civil society leaders, and media persons.
