International Conference on Resilient Hindu Kush Himalaya: Developing Solutions towards a Sustainable Future for Asia
Background
The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) sources of 10 major river systems in Asia that provide water, ecosystem services, and livelihoods to more than 210 million people. The region holds and distributes water for more than 1.3 billion people—a fifth of the world’s population—living in downstream river basins.
Climate change and other drivers of change in the HKH have already begun to impact ecosystems and communities and often manifest in communities through an increasing vulnerability and exposure to natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and landslides. There is a need to strengthen approaches for building resilience in the mountains, as resilience is required for achieving many of the SDGs, and neglecting mountain resilience will inevitably lead to sustainability challenges in the plains.
To address these issues, and others, ICIMOD jointly with the Government of Nepal and with support from the European Union, is organizing an international conference entitled, “Resilient Hindu Kush Himalaya: Developing Solutions towards a Sustainable Future for Asia.” Bringing together more than 200 experts from around the globe, the Conference aims to identify, discuss, and jointly recommend possible resilient solution packages suitable for mountain areas. The Conference will approach resilience building for transformative change in the HKH from a holistic perspective, seen in the context of multiple change processes in mountain areas. By drawing on experts’ experiences of developing and implementing sustainable and resilient solutions, practical policies, and the latest knowledge on resilience, the Conference aims to deepen the commitment among concerned stakeholders and decision makers to find and implement resilient solutions in the HKH and downstream.
Features
- High-level panel discussions and internationally renowned leaders
- Innovative solutions marketplace
- Resilient solutions poster and photo competitions and displays
- Daily news bulletins to share learnings with a wider audience
- Satellite events on specific resilience themes
- Visit to ICIMOD Knowledge Park
Themes
- The landscape of resilience building in the HKH
- Resilience building: approaches in practice in the HKH and beyond
- Bridges and barriers to resilience building and transformative change
Participants
- Over 200 scientists, policy-makers, researchers, change makers, development practitioners
- High-level political leaders from HKH governments
- Expert scientists from Asia and beyond