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Launch of the HKH-Arctic Youth Leadership Forum
Strategic group: Regional action and global advocacy & Action area: Global
Arctic Circle Assembly, Reykjavík, Iceland
16 October 2025 to 18 October 2025
The Earth’s cryosphere – its frozen water systems – is rapidly disappearing, changing life dramatically in two of the most climate-vulnerable regions: the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) and the Arctic. The HKH is warming at twice the global average; the Arctic is warming nearly four times faster. At the heart of this crisis are the young people of these regions, who are already feeling the impacts on their homes, cultures, and the future. More than passive observers, they are custodians of ecological knowledge, stewards of biodiversity, and key stakeholders in building resilient futures. The HKH-Arctic Youth Leadership Forum, facilitated by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Arctic Circle, aims to connect youth leaders from both the regions to build solidarity, amplifying local and mountain youth voices towards co-creating sustainable and inclusive climate solutions.
Twelve youth champions (aged 19-35) from the HKH and the Arctic will meet at the HKH-Arctic Youth Leadership Forum to exchange experiences, share traditional and scientific knowledge, and explore collaborative solutions to common climate challenges. Through dialogues, storytelling, and joint advocacy, the one-year fellowship will foster a shared vision for resilient mountain and polar communities which will strengthen youth leadership at the frontline of the global climate crisis.
Moderator: Karen Marie Oseland This workshop brings together the 12 selected youth participants from the HKH and Arctic regions to engage in focused, thematic discussions aimed at strengthening youth collaboration between the two regions. Participants will be divided into three thematic working groups on Indigenous knowledge, science-policy interface, and youth engagement. Each group will collaborate to identify key insights, challenges, and recommendations related to their theme.
Public breakout session – The need for HKH-Arctic collaboration in a warming world
Moderator: Karen Marie Oseland This session will highlight the importance of strengthening collaboration between the HKH and Arctic regions and include a moderated panel discussion featuring five youth representatives, and ICIMOD Director General Pema Gyamtsho, who will speak on behalf of the three thematic groups to be formed during the youth workshop on 16 October.
As the first cross-regional platform of its kind, the forum is a milestone in fostering youth leadership, dialogue, and co-operation across climate-vulnerable mountain and polar region. The official launch will introduce the 12 Youth Champions by His Excellency Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairperson Arctic Circle; and Pema Gyamtsho, Director General, ICIMOD. Through a one-year fellowship, the youths will gain the knowledge, skills and networks to lead from the frontlines, bringing local realities and experiences to global climate platforms.
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