Strengthening collaboration in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

GRID-Arendal and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) are strengthening their collaboration to enhance sustainable development and climate resilience across the Hindu Kush Himalaya.

During a recent visit to Kathmandu, GRID-Arendal met with ICIMOD leadership and programme teams to advance the partnership and develop new initiatives for joint work. The visit builds on a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations and marks an important step toward deeper collaboration.

Together, GRID-Arendal and ICIMOD are working to connect science, policy and communication to address some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing mountain regions and the millions of people who depend on them.

Five people stand in a row indoors. From left to right, a woman in jeans, a woman in a blazer, a man in a suit jacket, a woman in a floral shirt and scarf, and a man in a sweater. A wood cabinet is behind them. — During our visit, we met with ICIMOD’s leadership. We greatly appreciated the support and dialogue and look forward to continuing our cooperation with Director General, Pema Gyamtsho, Ph.D., present Anna Sinisalo, Maria Dalby, Udayan Mishra

A key regional partner

ICIMOD is an intergovernmental knowledge centre serving eight countries across the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. The organisation plays a critical role in generating research, supporting regional cooperation, and translating scientific knowledge into practical solutions for governments and communities.

The region is home to some of the world’s most important mountain ecosystems and water resources. Glaciers and snow in Himalaya feed major rivers that sustain nearly two billion people downstream. At the same time, the region is experiencing rapid climate change, environmental degradation, and growing pressure on natural resources.

For GRID-Arendal, partnering with ICIMOD provides an opportunity to strengthen efforts to address these challenges through a collaboration that brings together regional scientific expertise with global environmental communication and policy engagement for transformative change.

Two people walk on a brick path in a sunny courtyard. A woman with a backpack faces the camera. Behind her is a traditional pavilion with a gold roof. Buildings and landscaping are in the background.

Ornate pavilion in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. Carved wooden bench sits inside the structure with painted red, yellow, and blue details. Landscaped garden in the background.

ICIMOD sign in garden setting. "ICIMOD" is displayed in blue above "For Mountains and People" on a sign with a decorative brown frame and roof. The sign sits in a bed of smooth stones surrounded by colorful flowers.

The beautiful headquarters of ICIMOD.

Connecting science to action

A key focus of the collaboration is ensuring that environmental knowledge leads to meaningful action for lasting impact.

ICIMOD’s work spans over interconnected systems in the region, including:

• River systems, where climate change is affecting water flows and transboundary river basins
• Mountain and air systems, addressing issues such as regional air pollution and fragile ecosystems
• The cryosphere, including glaciers and seasonal snow that are critical for water security and livelihoods

GRID-Arendal contributes expertise in science communication, storytelling and knowledge translation, helping transform complex environmental research into insights that can inform policy and decision-making.

By combining these strengths, the partnership aims to make scientific knowledge more relevant and used by governments, development partners and local communities.

Swayambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal, framed by colorful prayer flags. The white dome supports a golden spire adorned with painted eyes.

A woman spins prayer wheels at a temple in the Hindu Kush Himalaya. The red brick temple wall lines the row of metal prayer wheels with gold lettering. She wears a backpack and dark clothing. A crowd gathers in the background.

A musical performance takes place outdoors with a large crowd. The band plays on a stage with drums and speakers. People in the audience clap and record with their phones. Trees surround the area.

Street scene in the Hindu Kush Himalaya with a vibrant mural on a blue building. The mural depicts rural life with mountains, fields, and people working. A small vendor stand sits in the foreground.

Two women walk towards buildings adorned with colorful prayer flags. The buildings are brick, with shops and restaurants visible. The sky is blue with some clouds.

Taking time to explore Kathmandu and experience its rich culture and vibrant city.

Building exchange and collaboration

An important part of the recent visit was the development of a joint project proposal to the Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation (Norec).

The proposed programme would support staff exchanges between GRID-Arendal and ICIMOD, allowing experts from both organisations to work across regions, share knowledge, and strengthen institutional capacity.

If successful, the initiative will create opportunities for staff to gain new skills, deepen collaboration between the two organisations, and build long-term partnerships across disciplines.

Two people stand on a dirt path in a forest, discussing a tree. A woman with a backpack gestures towards the tree, while a man in a blue jacket listens. A small sign is attached to the tree trunk.

Visit to the Living Mountain Lab (https://lnkd.in/gKCZ6aPA) at Godavari, an inspiring space for demonstrating sustainable technologies and conservation approaches that support resilient mountain development.

Why the partnership matters

The Hindu Kush Himalaya is often referred to as the “water tower of Asia”, yet the region remains underrepresented in global environmental discussions.

Through its partnership with ICIMOD, GRID-Arendal aims to help bring greater visibility to the environmental challenges and opportunities facing mountain regions, while supporting science-based decision-making and regional cooperation.

Prayer flags strung across a plaza in the Hindu Kush Himalaya. Flags are red, blue, yellow, green, and white. People gather below, with buildings visible in the background under a pink-tinged sky.

Distant view of the Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu at dusk. City lights twinkle below a sky with orange and blue hues. Mountains are visible on the horizon.

Six colorful square signs display core values: Integrity, Relevance, Ambition, Neutrality, Inclusiveness, and Openness. Each sign lists a value and corresponding statement.

Looking ahead

As both organisations continue to deepen their collaboration, the partnership between GRID-Arendal and ICIMOD has the potential to grow into a long-term platform for joint work on climate, ecosystems and sustainable development.

By combining ICIMOD’s regional expertise with GRID-Arendal’s experience in environmental knowledge-to-policy work, the collaboration aims to ensure that insights from the Hindu Kush Himalaya can contribute to stronger policies, better environmental management, and more resilient communities across the region.

Anna Sinisalo explains the project we are currently developing and the collaboration behind it.