ICIMOD at UNFCCC COP23

ICIMOD will participate in several key international meetings this November in Bonn, Germany, during the 23rd  session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 23) at the UN Climate Change Conference. At this global gathering, ICIMOD will co-organise several events to draw attention to a range of mountain-specific climate change-related issues and their impacts on the ecosystem of the Hindu Kush Himalaya. In coordination with the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), ICIMOD will host a high level side event on ‘Cooperation for Building Resilient Mountain Communities’. This side event with panelists consisting of ministers from the HKH region and developed countries will highlight the cooperation in mitigating to and adapting to climate change. Jointly with the Clean Energy Nepal (CEN), ICIMOD will also have an exhibit booth that will display scientific information on climate change impacts, vulnerability and policy measures and adaptation actions with a special focus on mountains. ICIMOD will also be screening selective documentaries at the German Pavilion throughout two weeks.

David Molden, director general of ICIMOD, will lead the delegation which will include senior managers and staff from programme and knowledge management and communication units. As an intergovernmental organisation with observer status accorded by the UNFCCC, ICIMOD will closely observe the main proceedings and negotiations that take place during the plenary sessions. A complete list of ICIMOD’s engagement at the conference is provided in the table below.

Events and Activity Timeline:

COP 23 Updates

• Community Participation a Precursor to Sustainable Development and Effective Climate Actions
• HKH Features at UNFCCC COP 23

Relevant News

• White paper launched on COP 19 sidelines
• Scoping REDD+ site in Myanmar
• Scoping mission to Assam, India for place-based study on Food Security and Gender

Relevant events

• Spring cryosphere field expedition and scoping visit to Langtang Valley, Nepal
• Scoping workshop for a Cryosphere Monitoring Programme in Bhutan
• Scoping Study for National REDD+ Strategy

Relevant Press Releases

• The Prime Minister of Nepal calls for an alliance of mountain countries at a meeting of Ministers during COP 15
• Raising the voice of the mountains at UNFCCC COP 20
• COP19: A joint call for South-South and Regional Cooperation to tackle climate change challenges