05/30/2026
International Everest Day-2026 Celebrated in San Francisco
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International Everest Day 2026 celebrated in San Francisco
The Consulate General of Nepal in San Francisco organized International Everest Day 2026 at Nepali Community Center in Richmond City in San Francisco Bay Area on May 29, 2026. The event commenced with a video message from Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Shishir Khanal, issued on the occasion of this year’s Everest Day being celebrated with the slogan ‘Sagarmatha, the Highest Peak of the World: Identity and Pride of Nepal’.
Addressing the event, Consul General of Nepal in San Francisco Mr. Lakshuman Khanal shed light on the importance of Everest Day. Presenting the rich tapestry of nature, culture and history of Nepal, he encouraged the participants to visit Nepal as their next travel destination. He also referred to the formation of a strongly mandated government in Nepal in March 2026 with two overarching goals of good governance and economic progress. Touching upon the investment supportive policy reforms and incentives being introduced by the government, he requested all participants to advise their businesses to explore the emerging investment market in Nepal especially in infrastructure, tourism and service sector, including in IT industries.
Mr. John Y. Choi, Regional Director at the Office of the Foreign Mission of the State Department in San Francisco, congratulated Nepal and Nepalis on the remarkable occasion of commemorating the first ascent of Everest. He also highlighted the increasing relations between Nepal and the USA at all levels with reference to the recent visits from senior US officials to Nepal and the density of engagements between the two sides.
Similarly, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of California Mr. Evan Reade laid out the increasing connections between California and Nepal, the gateway of opportunities and imagination and the gateway of the Himalayas. He pointed to the deepening connections between the peoples of California and Nepal as well as broadening levels of partnerships. He conveyed the wish of California to continue to build bridges through trade, tourism, education, environmental stewardship, among others.
A separate video introducing on all eight 8000ers in Nepal was played during the event.
Mayor of Richmond City Hon. Mr. Eduardo Martinez expressed his happiness on celebrating the much important occasion for Nepal and for the world. He shared his pride in hosting a considerable size of Nepali population in the city which has added tremendous value to the fabric and economic growth of the city.
Elected Council Member of Hercules City Mr. Dilli Bhattarai referred to the historicity of the first ascent of Mt. Everest by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary 73 years ago and inspiration it has continued to infuse to mankind to rise higher and to move further ahead. Researcher at University of California in Berkely Ms. Nima Sherpa shared findings of her research on the impacts of climate change in the Everest region.
Four Everest summiteers from the Bay Area were felicitated with letters of appreciation during the event. Mr. Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa, a 5-time summiteer recounted his experience of climbing Mt. Everest while also highlighting the climate change impacts in the high Himalaya region. Ms. Megha Sharma shared her ‘memorable journey’ to the Everest Base camp and inspired the participants to visit Nepal. Dr. Faith Boucher, professor at University of California in Davis and a former Peace Corps volunteer, shared her ‘amazing experience’ about Nepal and the Nepali people.
The event was attended by more than 70 participants comprising government officials, members of San Francisco Consular Corps, friends of Nepal belonging to various agencies and associations, Professors and academicians from University of California in Davis, University of California in Berkely, Stanford University, University of San Francisco, Nepali entrepreneurs and scholars in the Bay Area as well as representatives of Nepali community organizations in the Bay Area and Sacramento.
May 29, 2026
Consulate General of Nepal
San Francisco