The International Centre for Integrated Mounatin Development (ICIMOD) organised a panel discussion on "The role of the of the Hindu-Kush-Himalayan (HKH) mountain system in the context of a changing climate" in December 2008. Discussion covered key issues and challenges to the HKH region by climate change and what needs to be done. There was discussion on what an institution like ICIMOD could do. Key issues that emerged from the discussion:
- Climate change is a major issue;
- Although climate change creates opportunities, utilisation of these are not always feasible due to physical and environmental limitations;
- Climate change is not only an environmental issue, but also a development issue;
- To develop mechanisms to adapt and mitigate climate change, scientific uncertainties need to be removed;
- Adequate financing and human resources need to be put in place;
- Crucial role for organisations like ICIMOD to raise awareness;
- ICIMOD should stay at high level, feeding inputs to national policy;
- ICIMOD's research should focus on transboundary issues.
