/EIN Presswire/ 14 October 2009

ICIMOD and IGES Agree a Strategic Partnership for
Climate Change Research in the Himalayan Region

On 1 October 2009, the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) in Kanagawa, Japan, and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), in Kathmandu, Nepal, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for establishing a strategic partnership to foster collaboration in research on climate change, water, and forestry issues in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region.

The Hindu Kush-Himalayan region has abundant natural diversity, it is also likely to be severely affected by climate change. IGES and ICIMOD will implement joint research programmes to develop effective policy proposals for sustainable development in the region based on IGES' knowledge gained from policy analysis and dialogues in Asia and the Pacific on a wide range of research issues, and ICIMOD's knowledge developed from research activities at a regional level focusing on the Himalayan mountain ranges. Topics will include adaptation to climate change, natural resources management, ecosystem services (forest/water/watersheds), and REDD.

IGES was established in 1998 by an initiative of the Japanese Government. IGES conducts strategic policy research to develop practical and innovative policies and measures towards sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region. Its research areas include climate change, biofuels, forestry, freshwater, waste management, business and education.

ICIMOD is an intergovernmental institution established in 1983 based upon an agreement between the Government of Nepal and UNESCO. It is a regional knowledge development and learning centre serving eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan. ICIMOD is working to develop an economically and environmentally-sound mountain ecosystem to improve the living standards of mountain populations - now, and for the future.

For enquiries about this press release please contact:
Ms Yatsuka KATAOAKA, Manager, Freshwater Project
E-mail:kataoka@iges.or.jp
Ms. Megumi KIDO, Public Relations Officer
E-mail:Kido@iges.or.jp
Tel:+81-46-855-3720 Fax: +81-46-855-3709
The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies（IGES）
2108-11 Kamiyamaguchi, Hayama, Kanagawa, 240-0115 Japan

Ms Nira Gurung, Communications Officer
Tel: +977-1-5003222 Fax: +977-1-5003299
E-mail: info@icimod.org
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
GPO Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal
www.icimod.org