KATHMANDU: The 2026 General Assembly of the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA) began in Kathmandu, with the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) formally seeking UIAA recognition for six more mountains above 8,000m.

Opening the General Assembly, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Poudel said it was time to seriously consider the impact of climate change on the Himalayas. “We need to act now and raise this critical issue to the world,” he added.

During the inaugural ceremony, NMA President Phur Gelje Sherpa presented profiles of the new 8,000-metre mountains for which the NMA is seeking UIAA recognition during the annual gathering.

The NMA has proposed Yalung Khang (8,505 m), Yalung Khang West (8,077 m), Kanchenjunga Central (8,473 m), Kanchenjunga South (8,476 m), Lhotse Middle (8,410 m) and Lhotse Shar (8,400 m) for inclusion in the list of 8,000ers.

The list of globally recognised eight-thousanders in Nepal now includes Everest (8,848.86 m), Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Makalu (8,463 m), Cho Oyu (8,201 m), Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Manaslu (8,163 m) and Annapurna I (8,091 m).

“The government of Nepal has already endorsed these six new peaks, which are also listed on the website,” Sherpa noted.

On the occasion, UIAA President Peter Muir said that returning to Nepal for this General Assembly marked his fourth trip on behalf of the UIAA, having first visited in 2011 with the Alpine Club of Canada.

Saying that the NMA continues to be an exceptionally active and dedicated member federation, Muir added, “While we anticipate a warm reception and highly productive, engaging meetings with a strong turnout, our gathering carries a somewhat sombre weight due to the severe natural disasters that have recently impacted Nepal.”

These tragedies serve as a harsh and immediate reminder of the stark reality of climate change, the UIAA president noted.

“When the mountain environment turns unforgivingly on local populations who are simply striving to live their daily lives, it forces an unmistakable lesson upon us all. The UIAA will directly honour the climbing community in Nepal through the Give Back to Climbing donation initiative and by active participation in the Mountain Sports Symposium, which places an encouraging focus on youth engagement,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Kang Joon-seok, chief executive officer of Black Yak, also highlighted the need to address issues including global warming and its impact on mountain communities.

The annual UIAA General Assembly is the largest and most important gathering of UIAA member federations, commissions, representatives and partners. At the General Assembly, hosted by the NMA, key decisions are made concerning the UIAA’s role, activities and budget, and elections are held.

Earlier, the third UIAA Mountain Safety Symposium was held on October 27–28 in Kathmandu as a side event of the UIAA General Assembly. During the symposium, more than 60 mountaineers, doctors, rescuers, paramedics, insurance representatives and other experts from various countries shared knowledge and exchanged experiences to strengthen collaboration in mountain safety.

Participants also took part in practical demonstrations and field-based training at the Scout premises in Kakani, Nuwakot, providing valuable opportunities to enhance their practical knowledge and mountain safety skills.