From May 20 to 25, the 54th Board of Governors Meeting of the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Prof. Yang Yongping, vice president of China Committee of ICIMOD (CNICIMOD), director of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS), represented Prof. Zhang Yaping, president of CNICIMOD, Vice President of CAS attend the meeting. Prof. Dong Qi, Bureau of International Cooperation, CAS, Prof. Su Lijun, secretary general of CNICIMOD, deputy director of Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, CAS, attended the meeting as observers.

The meeting is co-chaired by Mosammat Hamida Begum, Secretary, Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, Bangladesh and Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji, former Prime Minister of the Bhutan.

The meeting reviewed and approved important documents such as ICIMOD 2030 Strategy , ICIMOD MTAP V (2023-2026), ICIMOD Annual and Budget ICIMOD 2022, Annual Audit Report 2022. In addition, elected China as the member of the Finance Committee, and elected Prof. Wu Ning, director of Chengdu Institute of Biology, CAS, as an independent board member of ICIMOD.

“We are living in a world of unprecedented change and complexity where global challenges continue to emerge. China has started to pay more attention to international collaborations in reducing climate crisis and environmental issues. Committed to promoting a new type of international relations, China has been deepening and expanding global partnerships based on equality, openness, and cooperation. We must leverage our strengths of Regional Member Countries and engage in building resilient HKH. Additionally, we must promote mutual benefits while fostering relationships and trust among Regional Member Countries. CNICIMOD will always stand on the side of open cooperation, actively promote bilateral and multilateral regional collaboration, and play a constructive role. Moving forward, let us continue working together and contribute to HKH peace, stability, and development.”- Prof. Yang speaking at China statement.

More than 50 foreign experts and officials attended the meeting, including CNICIMOD Secretariat and Yunnan Office, Pema Gyamtsho, Director General , Izabella Koziell, Deputy Director, Independent Board Members, ICIMOD Support Group , Programme Advisory Committee.   

Meeting site (Image by ZHUANG Yu, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, CAS)