Himalayan Voices Strengthened Ahead of Global Biodiversity Talks

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Himalayan Voices Strengthened Ahead of Global Biodiversity Talks

Himalayan Voices Strengthened Ahead of Global Biodiversity Talks

Ganesh Khatiwada 2026-09-19 11:20:28

Kathmandu, September 19, 2026 - Protecting biodiversity is not only about conservation on the ground; it is also about ensuring that the realities, priorities and knowledge of mountain regions are reflected in global decision-making.
Against this backdrop, around 60 negotiators and experts from the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) took part in a regional training workshop held on 16-17 September to strengthen their strategic and technical capacities ahead of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17).
The workshop was organised by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law in Bhutan.
The training focused particularly on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and preparations for CBD COP17, which is scheduled to take place from 19–30 October 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia. Participants engaged in peer-to-peer learning, regional exchanges and practical discussions aimed at identifying HKH priorities and strengthening negotiation skills.
The HKH is recognised as a globally important mountain region with exceptional biodiversity and ecosystems that support millions of people across and beyond the mountains. Yet, according to ICIMOD, the vulnerabilities and opportunities of mountain regions have not always been adequately reflected in global biodiversity negotiations and implementation frameworks.
The workshop also highlighted the growing connection between the biodiversity and climate crises, particularly in the context of recent severe flooding in the Langtang, Lhende Khola and Trishuli river valleys. ICIMOD noted the importance of mainstreaming biodiversity conservation while strengthening understanding of the biodiversity–climate nexus.
A key issue ahead of COP17 is the potential revival of the Programme of Work on Mountain Biological Diversity, an international framework adopted under the CBD in 2004 to support the protection of fragile mountain ecosystems and address biodiversity loss.
With COP17 approaching, the workshop underscored the importance of informed, coordinated and effective participation by HKH countries in global biodiversity processes. Ensuring that mountain ecosystems, communities and their specific challenges are visible in international negotiations will be an important part of translating global biodiversity commitments into action in the region.
Source: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
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