Regional solidarity for disaster preparedness

The HKH nations are positioning themselves as active leaders for a resilient, just and sustainable future.

The Himalaya–Karakoram–Hindukush (HKH) region is undergoing profound transformations that threaten its fragile ecosystems and also the resilience, safety and livelihoods of nearly 2 billion people across Asia. This expansive mountain system, shared by eight countries, harbours over 55,000 glaciers—massive ice reserves that feed major rivers such as the Indus, Ganges, Yangtze and the Yarlung Tsangpo–Brahmaputra. These rivers are critical to sustaining agriculture, drinking water supplies and energy systems from the high mountains to the coastlines. Yet, the intensifying effects of climate change are melting these glaciers at alarming rates, undermining long-standing natural balances and exposing communities to cascading disaster risks.