Motion 064

The Himalayan and Mekong regions are experiencing unprecedented environmental stress due to climate change, urbanization, and unsustainable practices. The combined effects of glacial retreat, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss, and increased frequency of natural disasters and forest fires due to climate change demand urgent, coordinated action. While existing mechanisms address certain aspects of these challenges, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive regional framework that aligns efforts across nations.

It is also pertinent to note that IUCN Asia Regional Office and the Asian Institute of Technology [AIT] signed an MOU in 2018 on the basis of the HIMEK Alliance proposal. Other past initiatives, such as the 2011 IUCN Asia Regional Office publication "Stabilization of Climate Change in the Himalayas: Strategy for a Regional Response," and pilot projects like the Balkila cookstove initiative in Uttarakhand, India, have laid foundational work. Additionally, extensive consultations and collaborative efforts involving IUCN, FAO, UNDP, and other organizations have underscored the importance of regional cooperation. However, these efforts remain fragmented and lack the unified mandate that a motion-driven approach can provide.

A motion is critical as it formalizes collective commitments from member nations, establishing accountability and ensuring alignment with IUCN’s global strategies. Unlike bilateral or multilateral agreements such as Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), a motion enables broader engagement, resource mobilization, and scalability. It provides an institutionalized framework to address cross-border challenges, ensuring continuity and strategic focus.

The HIMEK Alliance proposal envisions collaborative actions for reducing Black Carbon emissions and restoring degraded ecosystems, drawing on the expertise of organizations like CCAC and RECOFTC.

Resources required include funding for pilot projects, policy and program development, capacity-building programs, community-based monitoring and technological and implementation model innovations. These actions will leverage international support, including the Green Climate Fund and bilateral agreements, to mobilize financial and technical resources.

This motion aligns with IUCN’s mission to promote sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. It underscores the urgency of addressing the environmental crises in these interconnected regions while fostering regional cooperation. Adopting this motion will ensure a unified approach to tackling climate change, benefiting not only the Himalayan and Mekong regions but also global ecological stability.