Why these Mountains?
The Himalayas and Andes mountain ranges are two of the world’s most important mountain ranges, each supplying their respective continents with the majority of their fresh water. Though geographically distant, the two regions share many similarities and have mutually benefited from exchange initiatives in the past. Now more than ever, with growing concerns about glacial melting , erratic weather, biodiversity loss and pollution (to name a few), the Himalayan and Andean regions need to join forces, identify synergies and learn from each other to prepare for what is at best an uncertain future.
Bridges exist between these two regions. For example, HimalAndes Initiative, which exists since 1999, has coordinated numerous exchange initiatives between the mountain regions, in collaboration with organizations such as the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Mountain Partnership and the Mountain Forum, among others. These initiatives have included biodiversity and cultural exchanges, eco-tourism, infrastructure, media, and others. A variety of gatherings, both in-person and via Internet, have facilitated these exchanges. In 2006, an E-conference titled “Mountain to Mountain Cooperation: Sustainable use of biodiversity, including genetic resources, in the Himal-Andes” was organized by the aforementioned entities. There is a strong platform to build upon.