KATHMANDU: The World Summiteers' Summit, a major gathering of climbers, high-altitude rescuers, researchers, and mountain tourism professionals, concluded today in Kathmandu on a high note. The event, held alongside the 72nd International Sagarmatha Day, was jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Department of Tourism, Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the summit, which featured panel discussions, inspiring stories, and honors for mountaineers who have significantly contributed to Nepal’s mountain tourism.

In the opening session, international climbers and rescuers including Mrika Nikci, Erich Kech, Marco Astori, Captain Maurizio Folini, Benjamin Mason Jones, Luo Shen, and Nepali mountaineer Mingma G Sherpa participated in a discussion titled “Climbing for a Cause: Mountaineering as a Platform for Advocacy and Change”, moderated by Mr. Dawa Steven Sherpa.

A second session spotlighted remarkable Nepali climbers, including:

• Sanu Sherpa, the only person to summit all 14 eight-thousanders twice
• Nima Rinji Sherpa, the youngest to complete all 14 peaks
• Phunjo Lama, the fastest female Everest climber
• Mingma David Sherpa, the youngest to complete all 14 eight-thousanders by 2024
• Kunjang Chopel Sherpa, the first female police officer to summit Everest
• Along with Purnima Shrestha and Dawa Tenzi Sherpa

The summit also recognized outstanding achievements in mountaineering:

• Mingma G Sherpa received the Sagarmatha Rastriya Puraskar for being the first to summit all 14 peaks without supplementary oxygen.
• The Tenzing-Hillary Puraskar was awarded to author duo Ankit Babu Adhikari and Pradeep Basyal for their book Sherpa, to Captain Maurizio Folini and Lhakpa Nurbu Sherpa for their search and rescue work, and to Nima Rinji Sherpa for his mountaineering milestone.
• Lakpa Sherpa, who holds the record for the most Everest summits by a woman (10 times), was honored with the Pemba Doma Female Climber Puraskar.
• Climbers Ang Dawa Sherpa, Chhepal Sherpa, Lhakpa Dorjee Sherpa, Tashi Gyalzen Sherpa, and Dawa Tenzi Sherpa were recognized by the Koshi Province Government for their contributions to mountain tourism.

The NMA also honored its Chief Advisor Ang Tshering Sherpa, Advisor Dr. Ganesh Gurung, and Secretariat Member  Rajendra Bahadur Lama for their pivotal roles in promoting Nepal's mountaineering legacy and organizing the summit.

NMA President Nima Nuru Sherpa thanked all participants and expressed hope that the World Summiteers’ Summit would become an annual event celebrating the spirit and significance of mountaineering.