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CONFERENCE
25–27 November 2026 | Kathmandu, Nepal
Welcome to the international conference on “Advancing Science, Policy, And Regional Cooperation for the HKH Cryosphere” to be held from 25 – 27 November 2026 at ICIMOD premises in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The conference will feature scientists, policymakers, operational agencies, development partners, and practitioners to confer over three days on turning cryosphere knowledge into practical action for water security, disaster risk reduction, resilient infrastructure, and regional cooperation.
The conference will also contribute to the United Nations Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034), while reinforcing ICIMOD’s role as a trusted regional partner in advancing cryosphere science, policy and climate resilience across the HKH region. As a globally significant mountain region, the HKH provides a critical setting where stronger science, informed policy, and regional cooperation can accelerate climate resilience at scale.
glaciers. This massive ice reserve is shrinking rapidly.
meters of ice in water equivalent lost by Himalayan glaciers (1974 – 2023)
the rate of ice loss recorded since 2000, as climate impacts intensify.
consecutive year of seasonal snow anomaly in the HKH
Why this conference matters
The conference responds to this urgent need by strengthening the bridge between science and action. It will highlight the latest evidence, identify gaps in monitoring and cryosphere services, and support regional dialogue on cooperation on data sharing, early warning, adaptation planning, and sustained investment in cryosphere monitoring and resilience.
Expected outcomes
Clear priorities for translating cryosphere science into actionable services that strengthen early warning, adaptation planning, infrastructure resilience and informed investment.
Stronger regional and international partnerships aligned with the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences.
Clear and accessible messages on the significance of the HKH cryosphere for climate resilience, freshwater security, and sustainable development.
Who should attend
Policymakers and representatives of government ministries, national hydrological and meteorological services, disaster management authorities, and planning agencies.
Regional and international organisations supporting climate adaptation, water security, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable mountain development.
Development banks, donors, and financing partners interested in resilient infrastructure, climate services, and long-term monitoring systems.
Practitioners, civil society organisations, youth representatives, communicators, and community-focused organisations working across the HKH region
What to expect
Plenary talks, technical sessions, and poster presentations showcasing the latest evidence, emerging methods, innovations, and priority research gaps.
Discussions on sustained monitoring, data sharing, early warning, operational cryosphere services, and their application to water security, livelihoods, energy, infrastructure, and disaster preparedness.
Opportunities to build partnerships around joint research, regional monitoring and services, institutional collaboration, and resources mobilisation for the priorities in the HKH.
Clear, outward-facing messages designed to support public understanding, media engagement, and policy uptake.
Evidence, trends, monitoring innovation, glacier and snow dynamics, permafrost change, and priority knowledge gaps.
Glacial lake evolution, GLOF risk, avalanches, infrastructure exposure, forecasting, early warning, and preparedness.
Water availability, river flow change, hydropower, irrigation, mountain biodiversity, and impacts on high-altitude communities
Data sharing, operational cryosphere services, adaptation planning, regional cooperation, and investment pathways.
This conference is organised by ICIMOD’s Cryosphere intervention under the Climate and Environmental Risks Strategic Group. The workshop is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Contacts E-Mail Sher.Muhammad@icimod.org Phone (977) 1-527-5222, 5275223 Where Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal When 25–27 November 2026
Sher.Muhammad@icimod.org
(977) 1-527-5222, 5275223
Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal
25–27 November 2026