Reflections from Kunming: Innovation, partnership, and the future of mountain development

Representatives from six of our Regional Member Countries came together to express strong, unified support for ICIMOD’s mission. Their endorsement of our role as a regional knowledge and policy hub gives us confidence and responsibility to do more, and to do it better. The ICIMOD-China Partnership session, held alongside the Board Meeting at the Kunming Institute of Botany, was a powerful testament to what meaningful long-term collaboration can achieve.

We saw science in action – research on the cryosphere, air pollution, agricultural innovation, and biodiversity being translated into real-world solutions. We also formalised new collaborations, most notably through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES), strengthening our collective resolve to tackle air pollution and climate change. These partnerships are about exchanging knowledge and, importantly, about co-creating a future that is sustainable, inclusive, and just.

Our field visits took us beyond the conference room – into the heart of China’s remarkable efforts in sustainable mountain development. One of the highlights was the Centre for Mountain Futures (CMF) in Honghe County, a beacon of ecological restoration and innovation. I was particularly inspired by their work on circular agriculture, drought-resistant crops, and – perhaps the most unique – plant-based clothing made from the fibre of native plants identified through the ethnobotanical knowledge of local communities, especially the Hani people. This initiative reduces environmental impact, uplifts local communities, and preserves Indigenous traditions. Research is underway to improve fibre quality, scale sustainable production, and train the next generation of eco-fashion leaders. This is more than a textile project – it is a demonstration of how mountains can produce food and water, and also beauty, culture, and climate-friendly innovation.

We also witnessed how cooperative models like Zhang Liang Flower Farm are transforming lives. What began with just a few farmers has grown into over 2,000 acres of cultivated roses, generating 76.5 million yuan in annual revenue. Yet this is more than a story of economic success – it is one of empowerment, equity, and entrepreneurship. Farmers have become entrepreneurs, technicians, shareholders, and leaders. Women and youth are actively involved in providing labour and leadership roles. In 2024 alone, 73 shareholders received dividends totalling over USD 555,301, with some earning as much as USD 27,817. Members now benefit from multiple income streams: leasing land, employment, dividends, and skill development. This holistic model, combining modern horticulture, cooperative economics, and inclusive development, offers a replicable blueprint for the Hindu Kush Himalaya – particularly for high-value crops, medicinal plants, or agroforestry products.

Equally striking was the Kunyang Phosphate Mine Ecological Restoration Project – a powerful example of how degraded landscapes can be transformed through innovative, company-led initiatives. Once an exhausted phosphate mining zone, the site has been revitalised by Yuntianhua Group, a Fortune 500 agrochemical enterprise, into a thriving high-tech greenhouse complex producing flowers and vegetables for export to markets such as Hong Kong and Japan. This project exemplifies the potential of public-private partnerships in advancing ecological restoration while promoting economic diversification and rural revitalisation. It also highlights how corporate leadership can play a pivotal role in sustainable development, particularly in mountainous and hilly regions.

Visits to jasmine farms and tea producers further illustrated how sustainable farming and value addition can drive rural transformation and support livelihoods in fragile environments.

Across all these experiences, one common thread stood out: innovation rooted in community and development grounded in sustainability. China’s emphasis on integrating science, tradition, and enterprise offers valuable lessons for all of us working across the Hindu Kush Himalaya.

As we move forward, let us continue to build on these partnerships with all our Regional Member Countries. Let us stay inspired by what is possible when knowledge, commitment, and cooperation come together. And let us carry forward the stories, lessons, and energy from Kunming into our collective journey toward a more resilient and prosperous mountain future.

Pema Gyamtsho