Staff Correspondent
Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Foreign Secretary (Senior
Secretary Masud Bin Momen, and Nepalese Ambassador Mr. Ghanshyam Bhandari jointly inaugurated
the three-day ‘Photography Exhibition’ being held to observe International Mount Everest Day-2024.
The Exhibition is being organized by the Embassy under the theme of ‘Mountain Memories: Connecting
Peaks and People’ at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy from 31 May to 2 June 2024.
Delivering his welcome remarks, Nepalese Ambassador Ghanshyam Bhandari stated that Mt. Everest
Day was not only a reminder of the first historic ascent of the highest peak on earth but also an occasion
to reflect on the importance of mountains and mountain ecology. He stressed the urgent need to
preserve and protect the entire Himalayan range from the onslaught of climate change. This Exhibition is
an attempt to bring Nepal’s mountains and natural landscape to Bangladeshi audience through
photographs taken by both Nepali and Bangladeshi mountaineers, trekkers, and photographers, he said.
Chief Guest of the event Saber Hossain Chowdhury, MP, stated that Nepal was one of the favoured
destinations of Bangladeshi travelers and that mountains including Mt. Everest continued to have a
special appeal among them. Stating that mountains are at the frontline of the climate crisis, he
emphasized the need to build regional and international partnerships to ensure the prominence of
mountain agenda in global climate negotiations.
Special Guest Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen highlighted the strong cultural and people-to-
people contacts between Nepal and Bangladesh. He also underlined the role of mountaineering and
trekking in building strong connections and fostering a deeper appreciation of the adventurous spirit
shared by the peoples of both countries.
The Inauguration Ceremony was attended by over 300 guests, including Bangladesh government
officials, ambassadors, high commissioners, scholars, mountaineers, trekkers, photographers, media
persons, and people from all walks of life. About 120 photographs by Bangladeshi and Nepali
mountaineers, trekkers, and photographers are on display at the Exhibition, which is being organized
with the support of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and Bangla Mountaineering Trekking Club.