Kathmandu: Sarah B. Rogers, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, joined Sumnima Udas, Chair of Parliament’s International Relations Committee, at the Ascent Summit 2026, underscoring growing cooperation between the United States and Nepal through entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable tourism development.
The summit brought together more than 1,400 participants, including climbers, expedition leaders, innovators, outdoor brands, and tourism stakeholders, to discuss how Nepal’s rich mountaineering heritage and American technological expertise can improve expedition safety and strengthen the country’s adventure tourism sector.
In her keynote address, Rogers highlighted the role of American-made outdoor equipment and advanced communication tools designed for extreme mountain conditions, stating that such innovations not only enhance safety in high-altitude environments but also contribute to Nepal’s tourism economy while opening new market opportunities for U.S. businesses.
Both sides reaffirmed ongoing cooperation to promote innovation-led economic growth and to further position Nepal as a leading global destination for adventure tourism.
