International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is a regional intergovernmental knowledge and learning centre for the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). It promotes environmentally sound mountain development and improved livelihoods by producing knowledge, strengthening capacities and enabling cooperation among the region’s countries.

Regional character

Established in 1983 and headquartered in Kathmandu, Nepal, ICIMOD serves eight regional member countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan. It provides a common platform for addressing ecological and developmental challenges that cross national boundaries.

Core mandate

ICIMOD seeks to improve the well-being and resilience of mountain communities while conserving the ecosystems on which both upland and downstream populations depend.

• It advances sustainable mountain development by integrating environmental protection, economic opportunities and social inclusion.
• It generates knowledge on climate, cryosphere, water, biodiversity and ecosystems, including their transboundary linkages.
• It supports resilient livelihoods and helps communities and institutions respond to climate change and natural hazards.
• It promotes regional dialogue and cooperation on shared Himalayan resources and risks.

How the mandate is pursued

ICIMOD functions primarily as a knowledge, capacity-building and cooperation institution rather than as a regulatory authority.

• It conducts and coordinates research, monitoring, geospatial analysis and the sharing of regional data and knowledge.
• It develops and tests practical approaches with communities and partner institutions, and communicates lessons to policymakers.
• It strengthens the capacities of member governments, researchers and local institutions through training and technical support.