Following on from the recent UIAA General Assembly, the Asian member federations of the UIAA hosted their own annual meeting under the umbrella of the UAAA, Union of Asian Alpine Associations.
The event took place in Kathmandu, Nepal on 31 October. It coincided with a special celebration of the host federation, Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) who marked its 50th anniversary. UIAA President Peter Muir attended both events. An interview with Peter Muir was published in the NMA’s Parbat magazine and be viewed here.
Reports, courtesy of the NMA, can be found below:
UAAA General Assembly
A total of 25 delegates from 11 member federations spanning 9 different countries actively participated in this General Assembly. The participating countries included China, India, South Korea, Iran, Hongkong, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Mongolia, and Nepal.
During the General Assembly, Ms. Christine Pae, the Secretary General of UAAA, delivered the UAAA office report, which received unanimous approval from the attending members. Delegates representing each member federation also presented their respective annual activity reports, engaging in in-depth discussions primarily focused on the critical aspects of mountaineering safety and responsibility. A strong emphasis was placed on ensuring the safety and responsibility of mountaineering practices.
As the host federation, the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) extended its heartfelt appreciation to the UAAA board and all the UAAA member federations for their unwavering support in making the 2023 UAAA General Assembly a resounding success.
The President of the NMA, Mr. Sherpa, expressed his gratitude, saying, “First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the UAAA board and all the delegates for their invaluable support in making this General Assembly a success. I firmly believe that this gathering will contribute significantly to ensuring the safety and responsibility of mountaineering. Once again, thank you all so much.”
The General Assembly was inaugurated by Mr. Chakra Bahadur Budha, the Director General of the Department of Tourism.
The NMA commemorates its 50th anniversary
The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), the country’s only organization dedicated to mountain tourism and environmental preservation, marked a significant milestone as it celebrated its 50th anniversary today. The Golden Jubilee ceremony, held at the Army Officer’s Club in Bhadrakali, was a grand affair, attended by national and international dignitaries.
The ceremony was inaugurated by the Rt. Honorable President of Nepal, Mr. Ramchandra Poudel. Notable figures including the First Lady, Ms. Savita Poudel, the Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Mr. Sudan Kirati, the President of the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA), Mr. Peter Muir, and the President of the Union of Asian Alpine Associations (UAAA), Mr. In-Jeong Lee, graced the occasion. Delegates from the UAAA General Assembly 2023, high-level government officials, including Chief Secretary Dr. Baikuntha Aryal, and representatives of various Nepali security agencies were also present.
The NMA also posthumously recognized the late Tenjen Sherpa, a Guinness World record holder climber who tragically lost his life in an avalanche accident on Shishapangma. Tenjen, along with Kristina Harila of Norway, had achieved the Guinness World record for conquering all 14 of the world’s 8000ers in just 92 days. President Poudel handed over a dummy cheque of 5 lakhs to Tenjen’s family members in honor of his remarkable achievement.
In addition, Rt. Honorable President Poudel, on behalf of the NMA, presented letters of appreciation to various tourism-related organizations, national and international personalities, government service agencies, and security organizations that have supported the NMA over its 50-year journey of promoting and safeguarding the mountains.
The Rt. The Honorable President also launched the Golden Jubilee special issue of Nepal Parbat. Rt. Honorable President Poudel applauded the NMA’s efforts in advancing Nepal’s mountain tourism, despite financial constraints, and urged the government to assign the NMA with more responsibilities. He stated, “The Nepal Mountaineering Association’s role in the realm of mountain tourism remains commendable, and I strongly recommend that the Government of Nepal and the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation intensify their support for the development and promotion of our mountain tourism.”
Honorable Minister Sudan Kirati emphasized the importance of collaboration in combating global warming, given the impact of climate change on Nepal’s mountains and the natural disasters it triggers. He encouraged collective efforts to make a positive difference.
NMA President Mr. Nima Nuru Sherpa pledged to continue the association’s work in promoting mountain tourism in Nepal. He expressed his gratitude to all who have contributed to the NMA’s growth, stating, “We will continue to excel in our duties in the days to come, as the NMA celebrates its 50th anniversary today.”
Before the ceremony in the Army officer’s Club at Bhadrakali, a morning procession was organized, commencing from the NMA Secretariat Nagpokhari Naxal. The procession was attended by NMA members, both national and international guests, climbers, and other members. Additionally, members from various indigenous communities actively participated in the rally, adorned in their traditional attire.
A full review can be found here.
