Collaboration Across HKH Nations Essential to Safeguard Lives and Livelihoods of Billions, Says Climate Adviser Romina
In a significant call to action, Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, underscored the urgent need for collaborative efforts among countries in the Hindu Kush Karakoram Himalaya (HKH) region to combat the grave threats posed by rapid glacial melting and subsequent floods. This environmental crisis endangers the lives and sustenance of nearly two billion people residing in the region, threatening the socio-economic fabric of the countries within the HKH domain.
During her speech at the opening of the ‘Policy Action Dialogue on Tackling Climate Change Impacts,’ organized by multiple organizations focused on climate change, food security, and water conservation, Alam stressed the importance of resilience building through innovative regional cooperation. The dialogue saw the participation of a diverse group, including policymakers, researchers, educationists, and environmentalists, converging to discuss actionable climate solutions.
The discourse highlighted the adverse impacts of unchecked global warming on the HKH region, affecting countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China, Nepal, and Bhutan. The region, known for its extensive glacier coverage, river systems, and vital agricultural land, supports the livelihoods of over 240 million people in the mountains and an additional 1.65 billion downstream. Alam emphasized the necessity for these countries to collectively manage water resources and tackle climate challenges, enhancing cross-border cooperation on climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of the Kathmandu-based ICIMOD organization, voiced similar concerns, stressing the critical environmental challenges facing the HKH region. He highlighted Pakistan’s vulnerability to floods and droughts, given its possession of the largest number of glaciers outside the polar areas. Dr. Gyamtsho called for improved climate data accessibility for communities at risk and urged for scalable solutions to these pressing issues.
The dialogue also featured insights from Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik, Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), who brought attention to the accelerated melting of glaciers in the Indus River basin. He shared alarming statistics indicating a significant reduction in snow cover and an increase in the annual glacial melt rate, warning of the dire long-term consequences of these trends. Malik advocated for a regional strategy to confront the cryospheric crisis effectively.
Further contributions came from Ms. Aisha Humera Chaudhry, Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination, and representatives from the Federal Flood Commission and the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. They underscored the importance of integrating the cryosphere into Pakistan’s climate discourse and highlighted the vital role of interagency cooperation in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change.
The consensus among speakers was clear: a united front is essential to protect the lives and livelihoods of the billions dependent on the sustainability of the HKH region. Through regional collaboration and shared initiatives, there is hope to navigate the treacherous waters of climate-induced adversities, securing a resilient future for one of the world’s most vulnerable yet vital regions.
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