The HICAP regional workshop on ‘Adaptation Outlook for the Hindu Kush Himalaya’ brought together experts, policymakers, researchers and practitioners working on climate change policies in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) countries. The two-day event sought to lay the groundwork for a region-wide assessment of existing adaptation policies in different sectors as well as critical policy gaps and opportunities. The assessment incorporated feedback from policy experts invited to the workshop on climate change adaptation in mountain regions, with a particular focus on relevant policies and institutions.
Organized jointly by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), UN Environment, and GRID-Arendal, the workshop aimed to develop an overview of existing adaptation policy measures in the countries of the HKH, and the extent to which they address the needs of mountain landscapes and peoples, going on to identify critical gaps that must be addressed to meet current and future risks from climate change.
One of the core objectives of this work was to promote HKH-wide regional understanding of the needs and gaps. The ultimate goal was to foster joint dialogue on mountain ecosystems in the context of climate change and adaptation, and to get HKH countries working together on these issues at the regional and global levels.
Participants engaged in dialogues that brought to light key issues prevalent in the HKH countries. The sessions were devoted to: (a) identifying key climatic hazards and risks; (b) assessing the effectiveness of the existing policies in dealing with these risks; (c) identifying the existing policy gaps; and (d) recommendations on how to deal with these risks.
The participants acknowledged that the workshop was a much-needed event as it brought policymakers, scientists, and practitioners together to discuss the issue of climate change in the HKH countries. Based on the presentations by HKH country representatives and other well-known experts, and subsequent discussions, the participants further reiterated the need for a common platform to mainstream and provide continuity to the climate change discussion carried out during the workshop. The delegates also recommended regular engagements as a possible activity to provide continuity to the undertaking.
The report was co-funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Nepal.