KATHMANDU: The Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA) and the Karakoram Mountain Guides Association (KMGA) of Pakistan have discussed opportunities for cooperation in mountain guide education and professional development.

A KMGA delegation led by Vice-President Saad Munawar visited the NNMGA office in Kathmandu, where they were welcomed by NNMGA President Tul Singh Gurung, members of the association's Central Executive Board, renowned mountaineer and IFMGA/NNMGA mountain guide Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, and other representatives.

During the meeting, the two organisations expressed their shared commitment to promoting International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) standards in mountain guide education and professional training across the region.

The discussions also focused on exchanging experiences in mountain guiding, strengthening professional relationships and identifying areas for cooperation between guide organisations in Nepal and Pakistan.

According to the NNMGA, the meeting provided an important platform to explore regional collaboration in training, certification, safety standards and professional development for mountain guides.

The association said it would continue working with its Pakistani counterpart to strengthen institutional partnerships and contribute to the advancement of professional mountain guiding in the Himalayan and Karakoram regions.