In recognition of the need for reliable data that will allow the region to benefi t from climate change science, ICIMOD convened the International Conference on Mountain Biodiversity, which took place from 16-18 November 2008 at the ICIMOD Headquarters in Kathmandu. The objective of this meeting was to bring together global institutions involved in biodiversity conservation with regional groups familiar with the specifi c issues of the region. The aim was to share, network, and develop future strategies and alliances for mountain biodiversity conservation especially to meet the emerging challenges from climate change. It was the expressed intention of the organisers to bring together researchers from the region, who have an in-depth understanding of the region and its people, with representatives of global programmes, who have access to the latest methodologies for data collection and interpretation. Some 75 biodiversity, climate change, and conservation experts, representatives of global programmes, and representatives of the eight countries that share the Himalayan region, from more than 20 countries in all, met to discuss ways of systematically gathering and sharing the information needed, developing a reliable picture of the present situation, and formulating approaches to respond.