The Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA) and the Indonesian Mountaineering Federation (FMI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Kathmandu to strengthen cooperation in mountain guiding, climbing, mountaineering education, and the promotion of safe and responsible mountain activities. The agreement is aimed at fostering technical cooperation between the two organizations while supporting professional development, knowledge exchange and the advancement of mountain tourism-related human resources in Nepal and Indonesia.
Partnership to Enhance Mountain Guiding Standards
The MoU was signed by Major General TNI (Ret.) Buyung Lalana, S.E., President of FMI, and Tul Singh Gurung, President of NNMGA, during a ceremony held in Kathmandu on October 30. The signing was witnessed by delegates from Indonesia and officials representing NNMGA. The partnership seeks to establish a framework for both organizations to collaborate on technical training, professional mountain guiding and mountaineering education. Through the agreement, NNMGA and FMI will work toward sharing technical knowledge, expertise and best practices to strengthen professional standards within the mountain guiding sector.
Focus on Training and Mountaineering Education
A key objective of the MoU is the development of appropriate training courses in climbing and mountaineering education. The two organizations intend to cooperate in capacity building and technical training programmes that can help develop skilled human resources for the mountain tourism sector. Such initiatives are expected to contribute to improving the technical capabilities of mountain guides, climbers and other professionals involved in mountaineering activities. The partnership will also provide opportunities for the exchange of experiences and expertise between Nepal and Indonesia, particularly in areas related to mountain safety, climbing techniques and professional guiding practices.
Promoting Safer and Responsible Mountain Activities
Safety and professionalism remain central to the new partnership. NNMGA and FMI aim to promote safe and responsible mountain activities by sharing knowledge and developing training programmes that respond to the evolving requirements of mountaineering and mountain tourism. The cooperation is expected to support the adoption of effective safety practices and contribute to improving the overall standards of climbing and mountain guiding. Both organizations believe that stronger technical cooperation can help address the challenges associated with mountain activities while ensuring that guides and mountaineering professionals receive appropriate training and skills.
Indonesian Delegation Participates in Signing Ceremony
The Indonesian delegation included Brig. Gen. Sandy Muchjitin Latef, Deputy President of FMI; Dr. M. Iqbal El Mubarak, General Secretary of FMI; Colonel Arief Rehman Haleim, Deputy General Secretary of FMI; Upendra Ghimire, Honorary Vice Consul of Indonesia in Nepal; Sahid Nurkarim, Social and Cultural Staff member of the Indonesian Embassy in Bangladesh; Tomo Sudrajat, Communications Officer of the Indonesian Embassy in Bangladesh; Zulfahmi Ramli, Head of the Foreign Relations Bureau of FMI; and Dr. Putro Setyobudyo Muhammad, National Board Member of FMI. Their participation highlighted the broader institutional and international interest in strengthening cooperation between Nepal and Indonesia in the field of mountaineering.
NNMGA Officials Attend the Ceremony
Representing NNMGA at the signing ceremony were Ang Norbu Sherpa, Immediate Past President; Lakpa Sherpa, Vice President; Pimba Tenjing Lama, General Secretary; Abiral Rai, Treasurer; Vinayak Jaya Malla, Central Executive Board Member; Riten Jangbu Sherpa, Technical Committee Convener; Tshering Pande Bhote; and Lambabu Sherpa, along with other senior instructors, officials and staff members. The participation of NNMGA’s technical and executive representatives reflected the association’s focus on strengthening professional standards and developing mountaineering education.
Building Long-Term Nepal–Indonesia Cooperation
Following the signing, both organizations expressed confidence that the MoU would create new opportunities for technical training, capacity building and the development of effective mountaineering education programmes tailored to the needs of Nepal and Indonesia.
The partnership is expected to facilitate greater exchange of technical expertise and professional experience while creating a platform for future cooperation in mountain guiding and climbing. For Nepal, which has long been recognized internationally for its Himalayan mountaineering and professional mountain guides, such partnerships provide opportunities to share its expertise while also learning from international mountaineering organizations.
Advancing Regional Mountaineering Standards
The NNMGA–FMI partnership represents a step toward strengthening regional cooperation in mountain guiding and mountaineering education. Beyond technical collaboration, the agreement is expected to contribute to safer climbing practices, professional development and stronger institutional links between the two countries.
Both organizations have expressed their commitment to building a strong and lasting partnership focused on advancing mountaineering education, improving safety standards and promoting the exchange of knowledge and expertise. The initiative also reflects the broader friendship and mutual understanding between Nepal and Indonesia, with mountain tourism and mountaineering providing a platform for closer professional and people-to-people cooperation.
