Catalysing sustainable finance and investments in the Hindu Kush Himalaya: Advisory Working Group consultation-workshop

Agenda

About the Event

This two-day consultation workshop aims to bring together like-minded institutions to identify common synergies and build collective strength to address the significant climate finance and investment gap in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. It aims to establish an Advisory Working Group (AWG) to unlock climate finance and investments to secure and mobilise funding, enhance climate resilience, and sustainable development across the HKH. Through a mix of presentations and deliberations, the consultation engages participants in shaping responsive thematic workstreams and operational mechanisms to catalyse sustainable finance and investment in the region.

Objectives

The primary goal of the consultation-workshop is to facilitate the establishment of the Advisory Working Group (AWG) for sustainable climate finance and investment in the HKH through enhanced regional and global cooperation.

Specific objectives include:

• Discuss and agree on objectives, scope, and roles of the AWG and its members.
• Identify and discuss scalable solutions, proposals, and synergies to catalyse climate finance and green investment potential in the HKH region.
• Prepare a roadmap for the newly formed AWG to function as a regional platform

Background

The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) is a vital global resource that supports climate stability, biodiversity, livelihoods, and is home to 2.1 billion people from mountain and downstream communities. However, the region is increasingly threatened by glacier melt, extreme weather, and biodiversity loss, putting both nature and communities at risk. Addressing these challenges requires an estimated $11.7 trillion by 2050 for adaptation and mitigation, yet climate finance is falling significantly short. Countries in the HKH struggle to secure funding due to fragmented systems, institutional gaps, and a lack of alignment with global and private sector priorities.

ICIMOD recognised, through consultations with partners and stakeholders, the need to bring together like-minded institutions to identify common synergies and build collective strength to address the significant finance and investment gap in the HKH. During bilateral consultations, ICIMOD proposed the formation of an Advisory Working Group (AWG), which received staunch support from partners who recognised the value of collective action to accelerate climate finance and investment.

Agenda