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Faisal Mueen Qamer
4 mins Read
In a bid to strengthen science diplomacy and advance climate resilience in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, Director General of ICIMOD, Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, led a high- level delegation to Pakistan for a series of strategic engagements, including bilateral meetings with senior government officials and the signing of key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading policy and research institutes.
Dr. Gyamtsho met with Secretary Amir Mohyuddin, Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFS&R) and shared ICIMOD’s plans to establish Community Learning Centres (CLCs), a farmer-led platform for demonstrating climate-resilient and Nature-based agricultural solutions. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to scale Nature-based Solutions (NbS), supported by China and have the possibility of setting up a knowledge hub and integrating NbS into national extension systems and curricula.
The ICIMOD team presented a draft proposal on Water Adaptation through Indigenous Irrigation Systems (Kuhls, Dug Wells, Karez), developed jointly with the Climate, Energy, and Water Research Institute (CEWRI) for submission to the Adaptation Fund. The Secretary appreciated this direct collaboration with MNFS&R through Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC).
To strengthen science diplomacy, ICIMOD signed MoUs with two leading think tanks.
The MoUs with the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) focus on joint research, science-policy dialogue, regional cooperation on shared climate challenges, just transitions and sustainable mountain development.
MOU was signed with ISSI, a prominent think tank under Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to focus on joint research, science–policy dialogue, and knowledge exchange on shared regional issues such as glacial risks, air pollution, and river basin degradation.
Following the signing, the Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP) at ISSI hosted an in-house session with the ICIMOD delegation to discuss mutual research priorities, institutional collaboration, and regional challenges. The exchange reinforced the strong alignment between ICIMOD’s regional mandate and ISSI’s policy engagement role, setting the stage for impactful collaboration on climate resilience and transboundary cooperation in the HKH.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Gyamtsho and Sohail Mahmood, Director General, ISSI in the presence of H.E. Abrar H. Hashmi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Nepal, and Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairperson Board of Governors, Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad.
ICIMOD signed a MoU with SDP), Pakistan’s leading independent policy think tank. The partnership aims to foster collaborative research, policy dialogue, and joint advocacy on issues related to climate resilience, sustainable development, and just transitions in Pakistan’s mountain regions and downstream communities.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD, and Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director of SDPI, reaffirming their shared commitment to regional cooperation and evidence-informed action.
The signing ceremony was attended by several high-level dignitaries, including Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam (Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Climate Change), Mr. Khurram Dastgir Khan (senior politician and Strategic Track 1.5 lead), Ambassador Abrar H. Hashmi, Maria-José Poddey (Country Director, GIZ), Dr. Samuel Rizk (UN Resident Coordinator), and Mr. Imran Shauket, among others—underscoring the significance of the collaboration in the national and international development context.
In a meeting with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairperson Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, Dr. Gyamtsho discussed regional disaster cooperation. The Chairperson invited ICIMOD to a GLOF simulation and shared Pakistan’s plan to propose a regional Disaster Risks Reduction initiative at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), including a Disaster Response Fund and transboundary coordination framework.
Dr. Gyamtsho also met with His Excellency Umer Siddique, Director General (UN Division), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who welcomed ICIMOD’s efforts and confirmed Pakistan’s support for its Observer Status at the 80th UNGA. Discussions also covered COP30 engagement and climate finance.
Visit this link to read about SAFER-Pakistan project Agreement of Cooperation signing: https://www.icimod.org/article/icimod-and-government-of-pakistan-sign-agreement-to-implement-safer-pakistan-project-supported-by-the-adaptation-fund/
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