Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment Establishes First Asia Hub in Kathmandu

Kathmandu: The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) has been designated as the third regional hub of the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA), with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Kathmandu set to host the new Asia-based hub.

According to the press release, the initiative reflects both the biological richness of the HKH region and the growing urgency to address threats to its fragile ecosystems. The new GMBA hub will work to assess the status, trends, and knowledge gaps related to biodiversity in the HKH, while also strengthening regional research capacity. It will further examine key drivers of change and evaluate Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP).

“It’s an honour and a great responsibility for ICIMOD to become the latest regional hub in the important GMBA network,” said Izabella Koziell, Deputy Director General of ICIMOD. “Mountain ecosystems in our region and around the world are on the brink of collapse – so this platform and the visibility and additional capacity that this collaboration brings could not be more important or timely.”

Markus Fischer, Co-Chair of GMBA, highlighted the synergy between the two organizations, stating: “ICIMOD’s excellent expertise in employing knowledge for sustainable development in the HKH region perfectly complements GMBA’s strengths in global mountain biodiversity research. We are very much looking forward to this collaboration, to the benefit of biodiversity and people.”

As part of the agreement, ICIMOD will launch the HKH Biodiversity Assessment in 2025, coordinating its implementation across the region. The assessment aims to enhance understanding of mountain biodiversity through systematic knowledge mapping, data analysis, and expert consultations.

The move builds on ICIMOD’s recent efforts in biodiversity conservation, including the appointment of conservationist Sarala Khaling to lead its Resilient Landscapes and Economies group, the promotion of Sunita Chaudhary as Biodiversity Lead, and the hosting of Asia’s first-ever IPBES Lead Authors workshop in February 2024.

Established in 2000 by the Swiss Academy of Sciences, GMBA has grown into a global research network under Future Earth since 2016. It connects scientists and stakeholders to share knowledge on mountain ecosystems and species and is guided by an international Scientific Steering Committee.