River Basins Intervention: Advancing Water and Climate Resilience in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

Fostering Regional Cooperation

To manage transboundary rivers effectively, countries must work together.  We facilitate science diplomacy and multi-country cooperation through river basin networks that foster trust, knowledge exchange, and joint action.

Basin Networks
Upper Indus Basin Network
Basin countries:
Afghanistan, China, India, PakistanSecretariat: ICIMOD
Yarlung Zangbo-Brahmaputra Basin Network
Basin countries:
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, IndiaSecretariat: ICIMOD
Ganges Basin Initiative
Basin countries:
Nepal, India, and China (Tibet Region)Supported by:
Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan
Thematic Knowledge Hubs

HKH Disaster Knowledge hub
Thematic core group led by ICIMOD experts

HKH CryoHub
Thematic core group led by ICIMOD experts


Delivering Scientific Assessments for Action

We generate the data, models, and studies that guide smarter planning.

Indus River Basin Assessment

This ongoing collaborative study integrates data from four countries to examine climate vulnerabilities, water availability, and governance issues. It will inform a regional cooperation framework and policy dialogue in 2026.

Climate-Resilient Hydropower Guidelines

Helping secure future hydropower investments in Nepal. Co-developed with the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS), Government of Nepal, to address risks such as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and permafrost thaw using climate models and earth observation data.

Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus Study (Mahakali Basin, Nepal–India)

Through community engagement and field visits, this study develops integrated climate and resource management strategies in a transboundary basin shared by Nepal and India.

Agro-Ecological Zoning in Pakistan

In partnership with the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, ICIMOD updated outdated climate-agriculture maps, supporting policies for climate-smart agriculture and food security.

Building Skills and Knowledge

We strengthen regional expertise in Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM).

Annual IRBM Training for water professionals. This annual training equips professionals from across the region with skills in water modelling, stakeholder engagement, and gender and social inclusion. In 2024, it incorporated field visits to promote inter-basin learning with the Mekong region.

Inclusive Water Modelling Toolkit to address gender, disability, and social equity.  Developed in collaboration with CSIRO, this toolkit integrates gender, disability, and social inclusion principles into water modelling processes, ensuring that data-driven decisions are also socially inclusive.

Unlocking Climate Finance for Resilience

We turn knowledge into action and investments. Proven solutions can attract major funding to scale resilience across the HKH.

SAFER Pakistan Project: With US $10 million secured from the Adaptation Fund, this project strengthens climate resilience in the Indus Basin through nature-based solutions, water conservation, and gender-inclusive adaptation strategies.

The Glaciers-to-Ocean Project (2025–2027) with Sasakawa Peace Foundation through Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) to deliver science, action, and impact for a resilient Ganges Basin.