The HKH CryoHub annual dialogue 2024

Organisers: Cryosphere intervention

About the event

Following the successful stakeholder consultation to transition the HKH CryoHub to a scientific network for the region held 14-15 December 2023, we are organising the first annual dialogue for its cryosphere network, HKH CryoHub. The annual dialogue will build on the recommendations of the stakeholder consultation and facilitate discussions to operationalise the hub as a scientific network, form thematic working groups, finalise terms of reference, identify key topics for research collaboration, develop possible funding mechanisms, and promote the importance of science communication, among other objectives.  We will also host a session to highlight the International Year for Glacier Preservation (IYGP) in 2025.

The dialogue will be attended by representatives from key institutions in our regional member countries, leading international cryosphere scientists, social scientists, academics, policy makers and members of media. As the first scientific dialogue organised under the hub, the discussion will focus on laying a strong foundation for the task ahead, hence, it is critical to have the support of our regional and international partners for a functional scientific network for the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH).

The dialogue is organised by Action Area A – Managing Cryosphere and Water Risks under the Strategic Group (SG-1) on Reducing Climate and Environment Risks with support from the Government of Norway.

Objectives:

• Finalise the proposed structure of the HKH CryoHub including Thematic working Groups (TwGs)
• Operationalise the TWGs and Terms of Reference for each group and functioning mechanism
• Identify key research topics for each working group and outline clear deliverables for collaboration
• Map potential funding sources or mechanisms to support TwG activities.

Background

In the previous Medium-Term action Plan (MTAP), the HKH CryoHub functioned as a digital outreach platform connecting cryosphere scientists and users from the region and globally, arranging and supporting capacity building workshops, profiling early career researchers and facilitating access to cryosphere data from the region. While these outreach activities have achieved success, the hub needed to play a more significant role as a cryosphere network for the HKH, providing a comprehensive overview of regional knowledge on the HKH cryosphere and related issues. This was proposed at the start of the MTAP V

The HKH CryoHub is guided by the core principles of facilitating development of actionable solutions to address pressing cryosphere issues in the HKH, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among scientists, policymakers, and communities. The hub will serve as an agency to consolidate regional profile on the state of the HKH cryosphere and platform them in global forums. The hub will build on the accumulated knowledge on the region’s cryosphere through our long-standing engagement in promoting cryosphere monitoring in the region.