ICIMOD Director General Dr Pema Gyamtsho said recently that by focusing on the knowledge, leadership and priorities of women and indigenous people in Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, they are not only boosting climate resilience but also giving more power to those who have long protected mountain ecosystems.
“As implementation begins, I am reminded that meaningful climate action is not only about technologies or policies, but about people, equity, and dignity,” he said, reflecting not only on what the ICIMOD has achieved but also on what this year has meant to him personally.
By working closely with national partners in all three countries, HI-CAS is laying the foundation for integrated, ecosystem-based adaptation solutions that respond to local realities and ensure that those most affected by climate change are at the center of adaptation planning and action, Dr Pema said.
“What gives me confidence is HI-CAS’s clear focus on locally led, gender-responsive adaptation,” he said in a message.
In 2025, ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development) began implementation of the Integrated Climate Adaptation Solutions for the Hindu Kush Himalaya Region (HI-CAS) project.
