A recent study found that the Indus River basin is the most vulnerable among 78 water towers in the world. Considering that it functions as a lifeline for 268 million people in the basin countries, it is crucial to enhance our understanding about climate change impacts in the basin and work towards building climate resilience.

The Upper Indus Basin Network, now established in all four member countries, acts as a regional hub to facilitate science-based transboundary collaboration. Members are presently working on basin level issues focusing on climate change and resilience, with the possibility of cooperation and joint studies involving country chapters in the four basin countries: Afghanistan, China, India and Pakistan.

The UIBN brings together ministries, national departments, NGOs, INGOs and academic institutions. They have endorsed the UIBN’s Theory of Change and expressed commitment to explore funding and co-research opportunities, share knowledge and host early career researchers in their institutions. The six working groups of the UIBN are already working on addressing various gaps in climate research, community interventions, and policies.

The country chapters are encouraging and facilitating coordination amongst various departments within their respective governments. In the long run, each country chapter is envisioned to work as an autonomous advisory body and think tank for relevant government departments on issues of cryosphere, water management, air pollution, hazard management, and socioeconomic impacts of climate change.