Regarded as an important platform for mutual learning, the first China-ICIMOD day was held in Kunming, Yunnan province on Thursday and Friday.

Dr. WANG Zhenyu, the head of International Cooperation Bureau of Chinese Academy of Sciences, releases the HKH glacier database to the Chinese partners (Image by ICIMOD)

The event, organized by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in collaboration with the Chinese Committee on ICIMOD and Kunming Institute of Botany, was attended by more than 80 participants from various organizations.

ICIMOD's director general Dr. David Molden said the day provided an opportunity to highlight his organization's work in China and also seek input from Chinese partners in designing its programs. "The interaction with various national partners will also give us an opportunity to assess if ICIMOD is responding to the needs and specific priorities of China," he said. "We will also identify strategic areas for future cooperation."

China became a founding member of ICIMOD 30 years ago and has continued to be instrumental in supporting the center's mission and vision. "We hope to see more Chinese stakeholders showcase their progress and collaboration with ICIMOD," head of the international cooperation bureau of CAS, Dr. Wang Zhenyu said. ICIMOD will explore new opportunities for partnerships in China toward sustainable mountain development and to promote regional cooperation.

"We aim to strengthen institutional ties with the CAS and various provincial agencies for improving the coordination and communication of activities in China," said Basanta Shrestha, ICIMOD's director of strategic cooperation.

Coinciding with the event, the glacier database of the entire Hindu Kush Himalayan region was released to the Chinese partners. The database was developed in close collaboration with Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (CAREERI) under CAS.

ICIMOD is a regional knowledge development and learning centre serving the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Himalayas and the global mountain community.