The 55th Meeting of the ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development) Board of Governors was held in Thimphu, Bhutan from April 29 to May 5, 2024. Prof. Yang Yongping, who’s vice president of China Committee of ICIMOD (CNICIMOD) and director of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), represented Prof. Zhang Yaping, president of CNICIMOD, Vice President of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) attended the meeting.
The meeting was co-chaired by Dasho Karma Tshering, Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resourcesm, and Teresa Christina Fogelberg, Chair of the ICIMOD Project Advisory Committee.
The conference reviewed and approved important documents such as the "ICIMOD 2025-2026 Annual Plan and Draft Budget", the "ICIMOD 2023 Audit Report", the "Draft updated Finance Policy", and the "GESI Policy Recommendation". China was elected as the chair country of the 56th Council of ICIMOD.
As representative of China, Prof. Yang Yongping made a speech. He pointed out that China has continuously promoted the construction of ecological civilization and achieved remarkable results in climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, rural revitalization, etc. over the past year. The "China Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan" (2023-2030) was released, a national park system was established, carbon trading mechanisms were implemented, and investment in renewable energy and nature-based solutions was increased. In addition, China has further promoted sustainable development by paying for ecosystem services and supporting the development of mountain communities. The Chinese Academy of Sciences has been committed to mobilizing resources through various channels to support cooperation between Chinese institutions and ICIMOD and its member countries in promoting sustainable development, while also willing to share our experiences and lessons in environmental protection, mountain development, air pollution prevention and control, and biodiversity conservation with the international community.
Over 80 experts and officials including director of ICIMOD, member country national directors, independent directors, international funding organizations and heads of relevant departments at ICIMOD attended the meeting.
55th Bhutan ICIMOD meeting
