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The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in force since 1993, is a multilateral treaty focused on biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and fair and equitable benefit-sharing. All eight Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan are Parties to the CBD.
As a CBD Observer since 2007, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has contributed to initiatives on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, including through the Programme of Work on Mountain Biodiversity (PoWMB), Ecosystem Approach, and Regional Programme on Transboundary Landscapes.
Adopted in 2022 and considered a pillar framework of the CBD, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) sets four goals and 23 targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve a world living in harmony with nature by 2050. Mountains are recognised through the Mountain Green Cover Index under Target 1, while many other targets are highly relevant to HKH ecosystems, aligning with the ICIMOD Strategy 2030: Moving Mountains.
ICIMOD has a long-standing engagement with the CBD, participating in SBSTTA and COP processes through side events, plenaries, publications, networking and regional advocacy, including at COP11, COP12 and COP13. More recently, ICIMOD has strengthened its focus on the KMGBF and mountain biodiversity through regional dialogue and capacity building for HKH countries.
A key milestone ahead of COP17 is the HKH CBD Negotiators Workshop, which held in Kathmandu on 16–17 September 2026, organised by ICIMOD in collaboration with JSW Law School Bhutan, UNEP and the CBD Secretariat. The workshop focused on COP17 priorities, including resource mobilisation, planning, monitoring, reporting and review, mountain biodiversity, and strengthening collective HKH positions.
COP17 provides a timely opportunity for ICIMOD because the meeting will assess collective progress towards the 2030 biodiversity targets and identify gaps and pathways for accelerated implementation. This creates an important entry point for ICIMOD to communicate a simple message.
Mountain ecosystems contain exceptional biodiversity and provide critical ecosystem services far beyond mountain regions.
Global targets need to be translated into approaches that reflect the ecological, social and economic characteristics of mountain regions.
The HKH is a transboundary mountain system. Biodiversity, ecosystems, species and watersheds cross national boundaries, making regional cooperation particularly important.
Indigenous Peoples and local communities hold important knowledge and play essential roles in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.
Strong regional data and knowledge systems are essential for tracking progress and identifying where action and investment are most needed.
Mountain countries require predictable financing, technology, knowledge and institutional capacity to translate GBF commitments into action.
CBD’s existing Programme of Work on Mountain Biodiversity already recognises the importance of regional and transboundary cooperation, monitoring, community-based approaches and knowledge exchange—areas that closely align with ICIMOD’s comparative advantage.
We will be working with RMCs to advance the mountain biodiversity agenda on the following key thematic areas:
COP17 will provide HKH region an important opportunity to consider progress in implementation of the GBF and identify gaps requiring greater attention and support with specific focus on mountain biodiversity.
Protected and conserved areas and OECMs are central to achieving GBF Target 3. In mountain regions, their effectiveness depends strongly on ecological connectivity, transboundary cooperation and community stewardship.
Build support among RMCs and like-minded Parties for renewed attention to the CBD Programme of Work on Mountain Biological Diversity (PoWMB) and strengthened mountain-specific implementation within the GBF. The SBSTTA strategy specifically proposed encouraging RMCs to pursue discussion on reviving/reviewing the PoWMB, providing a strong basis for carrying this engagement into COP17.
COP17 is a critical moment to highlight the importance of implementation and financing of conservation actions. We will use COP17 as a platform for highlighting gaps for mountain biodiversity, multiple benefits of investing in mountain ecosystems, define opportunities for GEF financing and other transboundary financing.
Advocate for greater recognition of the specific vulnerabilities, opportunities and contributions of mountain ecosystems. Highlight the importance of mountain biodiversity for water, food, livelihoods, climate resilience and human wellbeing.
Provide science, evidence, tools and regional perspectives to support national implementation. Identify practical entry points for mountain countries across relevant GBF targets.
Facilitate exchange among HKH countries on biodiversity conservation, restoration, sustainable use, monitoring and financing. Promote opportunities for regional and transboundary cooperation.
Deepen engagement with the CBD Secretariat, Parties, UN agencies, development partners, scientific organisations and other stakeholders. Position ICIMOD as a credible regional partner for implementation of the KMGBF.
Biodiversity Lead / Ecosystem Services Specialist
Research Associate – Global engagement, Strategic Group: Regional action and global advocacy
Lori- Meeting Room 4 – Block 2
Organizers: Organisers Strengthening the Implementation of Article 8(j) in Nepal: Indigenous Knowledge, Women’s Leadership, and Inclusive Biodiversity Governance
Spitak – Side-event Room 2
Organizers: FWP, Tajikistan, France, ICIMOD, UNESCO, IRD, IUCN, FAO Mountain Cryosphere and Headwater Systems: Sustaining Ecosystem Integrity for Water, Food and Energy Security in a Changing Climate
Organizers: Komitas – Business and Industry Organizations Group Room, India, MoEFCC, Government of India and Forest Survey of India (FSI), GIZ, IUCN, ICIMOD, TERI (TBC)
Read more about ICIMOD’s work on climate change with the UNFCCC.
Why the world cannot ignore its mountains
Strengthening voices for mountain biodiversity, enhancing negotiation work for the Hindu Kush Himalaya.
