Kathmandu, 27 November: The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) pledging a five-year collaboration to bolster climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable development in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region.
The HKH, characterized by unique, extreme landscapes and large, diverse populations, is severely impacted by climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. The region urgently needs sustainable agriculture that is resilient to these crises, and can deliver more and nutritious food for a growing population without further harming the environment and natural resources.
This partnership leverages IFPRI’s policy expertise related to agriculture and food systems, and ICIMOD’s experience generating and sharing knowledge about the HKH and their deep connection with mountain communities. Together, the partners will conduct research on climate challenges, identify opportunities for sustainable livelihoods, and co-actionable solutions for the region’s eight member countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan.
Dr. Shahidur Rashid, Director-South Asia, IFPRI, stated: “This partnership builds on IFPRI’s decades of experience in evidence-based policymaking and ICIMOD’s engagement with mountain communities. By aligning our expertise, we aim to create robust policy frameworks that will enhance resilience and livelihoods for millions.”
Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD, stated: “The Hindu Kush Himalaya is ground zero for climate threats. Partnering with IFPRI will strengthen our research, innovation, and outreach to equip our member countries with solutions to build communities’ resilience and food security at this urgent moment.”
Key areas of collaboration:
- Building capacity for climate-resilient agriculture and food systems
- Researching climate challenges and sustainable livelihood opportunities
- Assessing climate change impacts on agriculture, incomes, and mountain sustainability
- Mobilizing resources for joint initiatives
- Developing and disseminating knowledge products on climate-resilient agriculture
- Partnering with global centers for sustainable mountain development
For Media Inquiries
- IFPRI Contact: Anisha Mohan, Communications Specialist, IFPRI-South Asia Office | Email: a.mohan@cgiar.org
- ICIMOD Contact: Annie Dare, Head of Communications, ICIMOD | Neraz (Raz) Tuladhar, Media Officer, ICIMOD | Anshu Pandey, Senior Media Associate, ICIMOD | Email: media@icimod.org
For Partnerships Inquiries
- IFPRI Contact: Jyotsana Dua, Head – Admin & Finance, India, IFPRI | Email: j.dua@cgiar.org
- ICIMOD Contact: Udayan Mishra, Partnerships Specialist, ICIMOD | Email: partnerships@icimod.org, Udayan.Mishra@icimod.org
About the Partners
IFPRI:
IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. IFPRI was established in 1975 to identify and analyze alternative national and international strategies and policies for meeting the food needs of the developing world, with particular emphasis on low-income countries and on the poorer groups in those countries. It is a research center of CGIAR, a worldwide partnership engaged in agricultural research for development. Visit the global website and the South Asia regional website for more information.
ICIMOD:
The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region stretches 3,500km across Asia, spanning eight countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Encompassing high-altitude mountain ranges, mid-hills, and plains, the zone is vital for the food, water, and energy security of up to two billion people and is a habitat for countless irreplaceable species. It is also acutely fragile, and vulnerable to the impacts of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), based in Kathmandu, Nepal, is an international organisation established in 1983, that is working to make this critical region greener, more inclusive and climate resilient. For more information, read our Strategy 2030 and explore our website.