The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) celebrated its 53rd Establishment Day on Sunday in Kathmandu with a series of commemorative events, bringing together prominent national and international dignitaries, mountaineering leaders and representatives of global climbing organisations. The celebrations were attended by distinguished guests, including Dr. In-Jeong Lee, President of the Union of Asian Alpine Clubs (UAAA), and delegates participating in the UIAA 2026 General Assembly, highlighting the occasion’s importance in strengthening Nepal’s international mountaineering partnerships.
The celebrations began with a formal ceremony at the NMA premises, where representatives from various countries and international organisations extended congratulatory messages and best wishes to the association. Among those addressing the gathering were Member of Parliament Mingma Gyabu Sherpa, who also serves as First Vice President of NMA; Dr. In-Jeong Lee, President of UAAA; Yolanda De Both, Treasurer of the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA); and Saray Khumalo, UIAA Board Member. The international representatives congratulated NMA on completing 53 years and acknowledged its longstanding contribution to the development and promotion of mountaineering.
International Recognition and Goodwill Gesture
On the occasion, Tadao Kanzaki, Honorary Member of UIAA, presented a gift of JPY 100,000 (Japanese yen) to Fur Gelje Sherpa, President of NMA, as a gesture of goodwill and congratulations on the association’s anniversary. Delegates attending the UIAA 2026 General Assembly also participated in the celebrations, making the event an important platform for interaction among Nepalese and international mountaineering representatives.
The participation of international alpine and climbing leaders reflected the association’s continuing engagement with the global mountaineering community and provided an opportunity to strengthen institutional relationships and cooperation.
UIAA Delegates Explore Kathmandu Valley Heritage
As part of the anniversary programme, NMA organised a cultural and heritage tour for delegates attending the UIAA General Assembly, introducing them to two of the Kathmandu Valley’s prominent UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Patan Durbar Square and Boudhanath Stupa.
The heritage tour offered international delegates an opportunity to experience Nepal’s historical architecture, religious traditions and cultural diversity beyond its Himalayan mountaineering attractions. At Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur Metropolitan City hosted a special luncheon for NMA’s national and international guests, extending its hospitality and warm greetings to the visiting representatives.
Special Prayers Held in Memory of Mountaineering and Flood Victims
In the evening, the delegates visited Boudhanath Stupa, where NMA organised a special prayer gathering in memory of those who lost their lives in the devastating flash floods in Rasuwa, as well as the tragic avalanches on Broad Peak in Pakistan and Himlung Himal in Nepal.
The gathering brought together national and international representatives for collective prayers and reflection in remembrance of the victims of the natural disasters. The programme also provided an opportunity for the mountaineering community to express solidarity with those affected by the tragedies.
Cultural Reception Showcases Nepal’s Heritage
Following the prayer gathering, NMA hosted a dinner reception at Taragaon for national and international guests. The evening also coincided with the closing ceremony of the Kathmandu Film Festival, adding further cultural significance to the anniversary celebrations.
A special cultural programme was organised to welcome the international delegates, featuring Nepal’s rich cultural heritage, traditional practices and artistic expressions. The programme offered visiting representatives an opportunity to experience Nepal’s cultural identity while strengthening connections with local communities and institutions.
Strengthening Nepal’s Global Mountaineering Partnerships
The 53rd Establishment Day celebration served as more than an anniversary gathering, providing an opportunity to recognise NMA’s longstanding contribution to Nepal’s mountaineering sector and its engagement with international climbing organisations. The participation of UAAA and UIAA representatives, alongside delegates from different countries, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in advancing mountaineering, climbing and alpine activities.
Through cultural exchanges, heritage visits and commemorative activities, the association also promoted Nepal’s historical and cultural attractions to the international mountaineering community. The celebration further reinforced NMA’s role as a platform connecting Nepal’s mountaineering industry with the global alpine community while highlighting the country’s combined potential in adventure tourism, mountain heritage and cultural tourism.
