Kathmandu, August 21,2025
As the world marks World Entrepreneurs’ Day, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has reiterated its commitment to building a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem that fosters green, resilient, and inclusive businesses across the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region.
“Transitioning to a green economy is no longer a choice. It is the pathway forward,” said ICIMOD’s Rural Enterprise and Value Chain Specialist, Anu Joshi Shrestha, underscoring the urgency of supporting entrepreneurs who combine innovation with sustainability.
Last month, Bhutan, with ICIMOD’s technical and incubation support, launched nine nature-based products under the country’s Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework. These products were developed through a comprehensive process of research, market testing, mentoring, and capacity-building activities, aimed at linking local resources with global markets.
Meanwhile, in Nepal, ICIMOD has been working with 10 entrepreneurs through its Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Innovation Challenge and Business Incubation Programme, supported by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). These entrepreneurs are creating business models that not only generate income but also conserve ecosystems and promote climate resilience.
By nurturing startups with targeted mentorship, ICIMOD hopes to demonstrate how local entrepreneurship can drive sustainable development in the face of climate and socio-economic challenges across the HKH.
As climate change accelerates, ICIMOD’s efforts highlight the growing role of entrepreneurship in providing scalable, nature-positive solutions that benefit both people and ecosystems.
