ICIMOD believes that access to timely and high-quality data is essential to promote and accelerate learning on the challenges facing mountain ecosystems and their people; enable independent research and scientific enquiries; develop knowledge products and innovations that improve the wellbeing and livelihoods of mountain communities; and empower critical and urgent decision making and efforts during regional humanitarian crises. In this context, ICIMOD has established a Regional Database System (RDS) that acts as a central data repository for different thematic areas in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region and provides easy access to these data through a web-based portal.