KATHMANDU: Addressing the ‘Ascent Summit’ in Kathmandu, US Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah B. Rogers pledged continued American collaboration in Nepal’s adventure tourism, innovation, and technology sectors.

Celebrating a 79-year diplomatic relationship as the US marks its 250th independence anniversary, Rogers connected the American spirit of exploration to Nepal’s mountaineering legacy, noting that the US remains Nepal’s second-largest tourist source market—contributing 112,000 of the 1.15 million visitors in 2023.

She emphasized that modern high-altitude mountaineering now heavily relies on advanced safety and technology to sustain local economies.

Further expanding her itinerary beyond adventure tourism, Under Secretary Rogers will also visit the historic Patan Durbar Square and seven U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) sites.

This visit is aimed at showcasing the United States’ ongoing support for Nepal’s cultural heritage preservation.

By touring these locations, Rogers intends to underscore the U.S. commitment to protecting historic sites that remain deeply central to Nepali community life, religious practice, and the broader tourism economy.