High-level side event at COP23

Rural mountain communities in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) are going to be disproportionately affected by climate change. It is now well understood that poverty and persistent inequality are the most salient of the conditions that shape climate-related vulnerability causing the impacts to be substantial, especially for mountains regions.

This side event with panelists consisting of ministers from the HKH region and developed countries will highlight the role of cooperation in mitigating to and adapting to climate change. Hosted by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the event  intends to bring together leading expert institutions and relevant government organizations working in the field of climate change from around the world to share their understanding of mountain issues and their experiences, based on cooperation within the framework of the Paris Agreement.

The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) has assisted HKH regional member countries in developing capacity for resilience building in ecosystem based adaptation, mitigation, and REDD+. This high-level side event intends to highlight the role mountain people can play in mitigating and adapting to climate change as well as the impacts of climate change on mountain areas. The event will not only highlight the commitment of mountain regions towards the implementation of the Paris Agreement but also provide an opportunity to demonstrate examples of successes on the ground. Furthermore, participants will discuss a pathway for regional cooperation for building lasting resilience in the mountain regions of the HKH.