Background
The cryosphere of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) including glaciers, snow cover, and permafrost is changing faster than in many other mountain regions of the world. These changes are already altering river flows, threatening water availability for more than 240 million people in the mountains and close to two billion people downstream, and exposing communities, infrastructure, hydropower systems, and food production to compounding risks.
However, there is a persistent and growing gap between our scientific understanding about HKH cryosphere change and what operational systems, policy frameworks, and investment priorities reflect. Bridging this gap decisively and at scale is the defining challenge of the coming decade.
The declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP) and United Nations-led initiative, the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034) provides a timely opportunity for the HKH which is home to the largest concentration of glaciers outside the polar regions, to strengthen regional leadership, cooperation, and science-informed action.
About the conference
Building on this momentum, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), through its cryosphere intervention, is organising a three-day conference in November 2026 in Kathmandu, Nepal, to facilitate networking and knowledge exchange among researchers, early-career scientists, mountain communities, and decision-makers. The conference will help shape a collective pathway for the HKH cryosphere during the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (DACS) and explore collaboration opportunities including joint research activities and options for voluntary engagement. It will also provide a platform for ICIMOD to share its work and progress in advancing cryosphere research in the region, especially during the Medium-Term Action Plan V (MTAP V) (2023-2026).
The conference will culminate in a high-level HKH position document that reflects a collective, regionally owned way forward for cryosphere science, governance, and action through 2034.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
1. Kathmandu statement and HKH cryosphere position document: A concise, action-oriented declaration and high-level regional position document capturing shared commitments, priority actions, and policy messages for advancing cryosphere resilience in the HKH under the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences.
2. Regional roadmap for science, services, and resilience: A practical roadmap identifying priority research gaps, monitoring needs, data-sharing mechanisms, operational service improvements, and joint research opportunities to guide future investment and collaboration.
3. Strengthened partnerships and resource mobilisation pathway: Enhanced regional and international networks among governments, scientific institutions, UN agencies, development banks, donors, and practitioners, supporting DACS collaboration, financing priorities, and ICIMOD’s post-MTAP V (2023 – 2026) regional leadership.
Conference themes
l State of the HKH cryosphere: evidence, trends, and perspectives
Topics may include glacier mass balance, seasonal snow dynamics, permafrost change, remote sensing, Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, and research gaps relevant to the Decade of Action.
l Cryosphere hazards, early warning, and risk reduction
Topics may include glacial lake evolution, glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) risk and downstream exposure, early warning system design, community-level preparedness, and national disaster risk frameworks.
l Meltwater dynamics, ecosystems, and livelihoods
Topics may include cryosphere-fed river systems, seasonal forecasting and hydrological projections, hydropower and transboundary water governance, high-altitude biodiversity, and mountain livelihoods.
Who should apply?
We welcome abstract submissions from researchers, early-career scientists, policymakers, partner staff, development practitioners, and community representatives from ICIMOD’s Regional Member Countries and beyond. Submissions connecting cryosphere science to policy action, water governance, disaster risk, or mountain livelihoods are encouraged.
Key dates
30 July 2026: Abstract submission deadline
07 – 14 August 2026: Notification of acceptance and confirmation of participation
25 – 27 November 2026: Conference
Tags: Glaciers, HKH cryosphere, snow cover, science-policy interface, cryosphere hazards, climate change, permafrost, water security, mountain livelihoods, regional cooperation