Historic First Hindu Kush Himalaya Parliamentarians’ Meet concludes with urgent call for regional action

KATHMANDU, 19 August 2025 — The inaugural Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) Parliamentarians’ Meet has concluded in Kathmandu, marking a significant milestone in regional cooperation to address the escalating environmental challenges facing the mountain region. The two-day summit, themed “Sustaining Nature, Empowering People,” united lawmakers from across the HKH region to forge a shared path toward climate resilience and ecological sustainability.

The event, hosted by the Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources Committee of the Federal Parliament of Nepal in collaboration with the Government of Nepal and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), was inaugurated by the Right Hon. President of Nepal, Mr. Ram Chandra Paudel. In his opening address, President Paudel emphasized the critical urgency of collective parliamentary action, noting that the shared vulnerabilities of the mountain region demand a unified response.

Over the course of the two-day summit, parliamentarians engaged in intensive dialogues regarding the triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss, and air pollution. Participants recognized that the Hindu Kush Himalaya constitutes a single, interconnected ecological unit, asserting that countries must act in concert to protect the ecosystem services—such as water, food, and energy—upon which two billion people downstream depend.

“The outcome of this historic meet is clear: a renewed sense of regional solidarity and a determination to act together,” stated Hon. Bir Bahadur Balayar, Coordinator of the preparatory committee. “We have moved beyond discussing challenges to establishing a shared framework for responsibility. Science must guide our legislation, but it is our political will that will transform these commitments into reality.”

The summit culminated in the adoption of a five-point “Urgent Call for Action,” the first of its kind among HKH parliamentarians. This landmark document outlines shared priorities, including:

• Prioritizing joint parliamentary action to address transboundary challenges such as air pollution and ecological degradation.
• Integrating evidence-based scientific data into national legislative processes.
• Ensuring policy frameworks are gender-equal and socially inclusive, specifically protecting Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
• Strengthening institutional mechanisms for ongoing regional cooperation and knowledge exchange.
• Committing to bold policy choices that provide long-term security for future generations.

The Meet provided a critical platform for lawmakers to share best practices, discuss policy gaps, and explore the establishment of a formal, ongoing HKH parliamentarians’ platform. By aligning national efforts with global environmental agreements, the delegates have signaled a robust commitment to elevating mountain-specific issues in both regional and international forums.

Organizers expressed their deep gratitude to the participating parliamentarians, international experts, and the media for their vital role in amplifying the message of mountain sustainability. As the delegates return to their respective nations, the “Urgent Call for Action” serves as the foundation for a new era of regional parliamentary diplomacy dedicated to the survival, dignity, and prosperity of mountain communities.

For more information, the five-point Urgent Call for Action and event details are available at: https://www.icimod.org/hkhparliamentarian2025/