UN Climate Change News, 25 June 2025 - UN Climate Change and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) have signed a three-year partnership to strengthen climate action and ambition across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region.
Signed on the side-lines of the UN June Climate Meetings in Bonn by Simon Stiell, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, and Pema Gyamtsho, ICIMOD Director General, the partnership follows growing momentum to elevate mountain issues within the global climate agenda.
The Hindu Kush Himalayas are on the frontline of the climate crisis, with melting glaciers, water insecurity, food shortages, and disaster risks threatening millions of people. The new partnership will support governments in the region in strengthening evidence-based policymaking and investment, tracking climate progress, identifying gaps and unlocking support by implementing the Paris Agreement's Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF).
"Transparency is a cornerstone of effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, which helps ensure all countries can share in the vast benefits of climate action: stronger economies with more jobs, less pollution and better health, secure and affordable energy, accessible to all," said Simon Stiell. "This collaboration with ICIMOD marks a significant step forward in equipping countries across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region with the tools, capacity, and partnerships they need to monitor, report, and strengthen their climate actions and ambition. Together, we can turn data into real progress on the ground and build resilience in one of the world's most vulnerable yet richly diverse regions."
ICIMOD has long supported Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan in their climate actions, informing science-based climate policies, enabling regional cooperation and providing technical assistance at global climate negotiations.
"This is an opportunity for ICIMOD to support our regional member countries and stakeholders to monitor and verify progress towards our shared global climate goals," said Pema Gyamtsho, ICIMOD Director General. "Crucially too, the Enhanced Transparency Framework is a key way for our member states to not just report on progress, but also to identify needs, assess gaps, and request the appropriate support from global partners to help our region meet the challenges temperature rise is unleashing on our mountains on an unprecedented pace and scale."
The partnership builds on a series of high-level dialogues and expert forums that have recently amplified mountain issues in global climate talks, underscoring the role of mountains in protecting ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and building resilience through nature-based approaches.
