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Our Mission and Vision
To enable sustainable and resilient mountain development for improved and equitable livelihoods through knowledge and regional cooperation.
Why we exist
Men, women, and children of the Hindu Kush Himalaya enjoy improved well-being in a healthy mountain environment.
ICIMOD believes in a future where the region’s mountain people can experience enhanced livelihoods, equity, and social and environmental security; where they can adapt to climate, environmental, and socioeconomic change; and where future generations of mountain and downstream populations can enjoy the benefits and opportunities afforded by the region’s natural endowment. ICIMOD foresees a future in which the role of the HKH as the water tower for close to two billion people, as a cultural and spiritual hub, as the home of global biodiversity hotspots, as a significant ecological buffer zone, and as a source of resources and services for mountain and lowland people is upheld, valued, and recognized globally and regionally.
ICIMOD is an intergovernmental knowledge and learning centre that develops and shares research, information, and innovations to empower people in the eight regional member countries of the HKH – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. We serve the region through information and knowledge generation and sharing to find innovative solutions to critical mountain problems. We bridge science with policies and on-the-ground practices. We provide a regional platform where experts, planners, policy makers, and practitioners can exchange ideas and perspectives towards the achievement of sustainable mountain development. We facilitate knowledge exchange across the region, help customize international knowledge and tailor it to the region’s needs, and bring regional issues to the global stage.
Core pillars
Our activities range greatly from hands-on research and piloting of solutions, to policy implementation with governments, to mountain advocacy on the global stage. What unites everything we do, is a core focus around these fundamentally important defining objectives.
For centuries, millions of people have lived among the awe-inspiring mountains, peaks and valleys of the HKH. From farmers to fishermen, climate change is wreaking havoc on their lifestyles and livelihoods, threatening communities and their ability to survive.
From animals and plant species you won't find anywhere else in the world, to ice caps and glaciers that store water for close to 2 billion people, the biodiversity and natural resources of the HKH are in greater jeopardy than ever before, and their loss will be felt across the globe.
The HKH spans countries and comprises a rich, diverse tapestry of colors, textures and cultures. The HKH is a microcosm of the world, and it’s absolutely beautiful.
We hold ourselves accountable to our mission and vision, and our work is guided by seven strategic results which also help us to measure our progress toward realizing our strategic framework:
Our new strategy from 2023-2030 has been approved by our Board of Governors and will come into effect from our new Medium-Term Action Plan (MTAP) period beginning in 2023. We’ll be updating this space with developments for our new strategy and MTAP, please stay tuned!
To build and share knowledge that drives regional policy and action and attracts investment that enables the diverse countries and communities of the HKH to transition to greener, more inclusive, and climate resilient development.
Whether you are looking to join our team, establish a partnership or contribute to our mission there are many ways you can make an impact.