KATHMANDU, March 23 (Xinhua) -- The Himalayan Consensus Summit 2018 kicked off here on Friday bringing together the global thought leaders and experts to discuss and explore new opportunities and alternatives for sustainable development in the Himalayan region.

The two-day summit jointly organized by private organizations Himalayan Consensus Institute and Nepal Economic Forum is themed under "Unleashing Connectivity for Inclusive Growth."

Nearly 200 members from different countries and regions representing the civil society, government, development institutions and the private sector across the Himalayan region have participated in the multi-stakeholder event to scale up environment friendly, sustainable and social businesses.

According to the organizers, the event aims to implement innovative solutions of social entrepreneurs into globally relevant models for environmentally enhanced economic development.

Addressing the inaugural session of the summit, speakers shed light on global challenges and highlighted the importance of connectivity in the Himalayan region for inclusive and sustainable development.

On the occasion, Chinese ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong said that China attaches great importance to the conservation and research work in the Himalayan region while it's also the common responsibility of regional partners.

"To promote the development of the Himalayan region, we should give full play to the complementary advantages of the countries, strengthen mutual trust, increase exchange, carry out cooperation, translate ideas into actions and turn the vision into reality," the Chinese ambassador said.

Mentioning that the Belt and Road Initiative is a transparent initiative for development and international cooperation, the Chinese ambassador said that it will benefit the whole world by coordinating economic, social and environmental sustainability of projects.

"Through development, we will improve the capacity to respond to changes, alleviate poverty and promote peace. China will continue working hand in hand with all countries to make unremitting efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind," Yu said.

Speakers highlighted that the event is an important platform to bring people and ideas together to discuss contemporary problems and seek solutions.

Elisabeth Von Capeller, Swiss ambassador to Nepal, said, "Climate change, water scarcity and air pollutions are the most urgent topic in the Himalayan region, which asks for the national, international and regional solutions."

Her statement was echoed by the Bangladeshi ambassador to Nepal Mashfee Binte Shams, who said that countries in the Himalayan region must work together to prosper together.

Speakers from different countries and institutions highlighted that the Himalayan region is in rapid change and the change can impact the whole world.