REGIONAL MULTI-STAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE GESI-responsive actions on climate, biodiversity, and air in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

About the event

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is organising a multi-stakeholder regional dialogue on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)-responsive action in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). The dialogue will bring together practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and development partners to identify shared regional GESI priorities and areas for cross-sectoral collaboration, and influence policies and practices through collective action on GESI.
This dialogue is supported by ICIMOD’s Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HI-REAP), supported by United Kingdom International Development through its flagship Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) programme, and Integrated Climate Adaptation Solutions for the Hindu Kush Himalaya Region (HI-CAS), supported by the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) through the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.

Objectives of the regional dialogue

The specific objectives of the event are to:

•  Establish the HKH Regional GESI Platform as a regional mechanism to promote collaboration, collective learning, policy dialogue and strategic coordination for GESI-responsive climate change, biodiversity, and air quality action across the region
•  Co-create HKH regional GESI action plan that identifies shared regional priorities and collaborative actions to strengthen GESI-responsive policies, programmes, investments, and regional processes
• Strengthen strategic partnerships and regional commitment among governments, civil society, academia, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), organisations of persons with disabilities, youth, development partners, and ICIMOD programmes to advance coordinated GESI-responsive action across the region

Background

As a globally significant ecological region, the HKH is home to the world’s highest mountains and the headwaters of ten major Asian river systems. Its ecosystems provide critical services, particularly water and biodiversity, that sustain food security, livelihoods, and the wellbeing of millions of people within and beyond the region. However, the HKH is increasingly at the frontline of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, compounded by rapid socioeconomic transitions, including migration, demographic shifts, and widening inequalities.

These intersecting challenges do not affect everyone equally. Women, children, youth, IPLCs, persons with disabilities, and other disadvantaged groups face disproportionate vulnerabilities and remain underrepresented in environmental and climate decision-making, despite possessing valuable traditional knowledge and lived experience that are essential for designing and implementing sustainable solutions. Patterns of mobility, including migration and displacement, further influence exposure to environmental risks, access to resources and services, and opportunities.

While regional collaboration in the HKH is growing, there is currently no dedicated mechanism to strategically coordinate and advance GESI-responsive actions across climate change, biodiversity, and air initiatives. This dialogue seeks to address that gap by bringing together diverse stakeholders to identify shared regional priorities, strengthen regional collaboration and facilitate knowledge exchange. A key outcome of the dialogue will be the establishment of the HKH Regional GESI Platform as a long-term regional mechanism to promote regional coordination, collective learning, policy dialogue, and strategic coherence across ICIMOD programmes and regional initiatives. Through the platform, members will co-create an HKH Regional GESI Action Plan that sets out strategic priorities and collaborative actions for integrating GESI into climate change, biodiversity, and air quality policies, programmes, investments and regional processes.

About the HKH Regional GESI Platform

Following the regional dialogue, the HKH Regional GESI Platform will serve as a long-term regional mechanism to promote capacity sharing, facilitate cross-country learning and partnerships, and amplify the voices and influence of underrepresented groups in regional and global policy processes. Members will benefit from technical advisory support, increased regional visibility, access to ICIMOD knowledge resources and regional expertise, and opportunities for joint learning and collaboration.

During the establishment phase, ICIMOD will serve as the Secretariat, providing technical leadership, coordination, knowledge management, and administrative support while progressively promoting shared ownership and rotational leadership among Platform members. The Platform will be member-led, with strategic priorities determined collectively by its members, while the Secretariat will facilitate collaboration, coordinate communication, convene meetings, support implementation of the Regional GESI Action Plan, and develop and disseminate knowledge products, including regional reports, policy briefs, good practice compendia, webinars, learning events, and an online GESI resource repository.

To ensure long-term sustainability, the Platform will build on existing ICIMOD programmes, regional partnerships, and thematic networks by embedding GESI collaboration within ongoing regional initiatives. It will initially establish a cohort of GESI Champions, leveraging programmes such as HI-REAP, HI-CAS, and other regional initiatives and their knowledge networks to strengthen coherence, collaboration, and regional impact. A resource mobilisation plan will be developed to diversify funding through joint proposals, strategic partnerships with development organisations, and collaborative regional initiatives.