Hindu Kush Himalaya countries address implementation gaps in their climate actions

Regional workshop on finalising Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) through cross-learning under the UNFCCC–ICIMOD collaboration and the HKH Regional Climate Action Transparency Hub (HKH-RCATH) Kathmandu, Nepal on 1 to 3 September 2026. Photo: Jitendra Raj Bajracharya/ICIMOD.

Kathmandu, Nepal – With the aim of strengthening climate action reporting, 40 representatives from Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) countries gather in the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) from 1 to 3 September 2026 for the first capacity-building activity under the Hindu Kush Himalaya Regional Climate Action Transparency Hub (HKH-RCATH).

Drawing experiences and lessons from the first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR 1) preparation in 2025, the workshop aims to strengthen regional peer learning and facilitate preparation of national GHG inventories for BTR2, through exchange of experiences, challenges, and good practices It also contributed to building a regional pool of practitioners connected to HKH ETF Hub. The insights and output will directly inform the design of a future, regionally tailored course, ensuring targeted capacity-building aligned with identified needs.

“This gathering is particularly timely in the wake of the devastating events that unfolded last week in China and Nepal – two of ICIMOD’s regional member countries. These events are yet another stark reminder of the urgency and scale of the climate crisis confronting the Hindu Kush Himalaya. Since its establishment in December 2025, the HKH. Transparency Hub has provided an important platform for our regional member countries to come together, discuss common challenges in meeting their commitments under the Paris Agreement, and, most importantly, identify concrete actions to address the gaps and navigate these challenges collectively. This gathering is a solid demonstration of regional collaboration and solidarity, a shared commitment by our countries to stand together for a region that is among the world’s most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.” Pema Gyamtsho, Director General, ICIMOD. 

The BTRs are submitted under the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) established under Article 13 of the Paris Agreement. Through the BTRs, countries regularly report information on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals, progress in implementing and achieving their nationally determined contributions, climate change impacts and adaptation, and financial, technology and capacity-building support provided, needed and received, as applicable. The framework builds trust and helps the global community measure progress toward climate goals.

“UNFCCC secretariat welcomes this first activity of the HKH transparency hub as an important step in strengthening transparency and climate action across this climate-vulnerable region. The recent tragic event reminds us, in a very tangible way, of the importance of our work on climate change. It also underscores why reliable climate information, data and transparency matter – not only for understanding what is happening, but also for strengthening preparedness, informing decisions and helping countries respond to a changing climate. This makes our discussions here in Kathmandu particularly timely and relevant.” Xuehong Wang, Director, Transparency, UNFCCC.

Experiences shared during the Regional Stakeholder Consultation Workshop in Paro (December 2025) highlighted common challenges, including limited institutionalised technical capacity and fragmented data systems for the preparation of national GHG inventories. Banking on this initial consultation, this workshop has carved concrete next steps through a shared work programme for the three-year MOU between ICIMOD and UNFCCC focussed on the operationalisation of the HKH RCATH. The first year was set out for the transparency hub establishment conducted in 2025. Implementation and capacity enhancement will be the focus of 2026, starting with this activity, the hub will facilitate continued engagements through workshops and technical meetings, peer learning and regional exchanges, resource mobilisation and partnerships and institutional coordination mechanism established among the HKH countries. It is planned that the third year will focus on scaling up and sustainability of these activities.

The HKH Regional Climate Action Transparency Hub, established under the UNFCCC-ICIMOD Memorandum of Understanding, serves as a regional platform for sustainable capacity-building, and peer to peer leaning, among other things, to improve reporting under the ETF of the Paris Agreement while enhancing climate action.