The need for adaptation and resilient practices to cope with these changes is central to global debates on climate change. The United Nations Framework convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and similar global conventions and protocols have argued for member states to design and plan activities to build adaptation and socioecological resilience. The Government of Nepal has prioritized its programmes and plans towards global commitments, developed a National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA), and identified nine thematic areas under its National Adaptation Plan. Agriculture and food security, water, forests, and biodiversity are key among these.

Broader national policies for adaptation and resilience-building do not always take into account the particular needs and conditions of specific communities. Traditional forms of innovation are often neglected. Hence, locally contextualized approaches that address specific needs must be identified. The resilience of ecosystems and natural resources needs to be assessed to prevent future risk and form an integrated approach to resilient mountain development.

This one-day national consultation organized by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Nepal, has been designed to provide a platform for stakeholders, researchers, policy makers, and practitioners to share and discuss possible ways to bolster socioecological resilience in Nepal. The consultation aims to:

1. Share learnings and future strategies on mountain-specific solutions to build socioecological resilience in Nepal
2. Explore networking opportunities and complementarity to work collectively with government and other organizations on resilience
3. Reach a consensus on implementing innovations that are simple, affordable, and replicable in the mountains – specifically in Nepal

Event group photo