Date: 16 September 2025
Venue: Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), Austria
Overview
Members of Karakoram Basecamp actively participated in the International Mountain Conference (IMC 2025), which took place in Innsbruck, Austria, from 14–18 September. This conference served as a global platform uniting scientists, policymakers, mountaineers, youth leaders, and community representatives to discuss the future of mountains in light of climate change, cryosphere loss, and the challenges associated with sustainable development. On 16 September, our delegation attended the public event “Grounded in High Places: Mountains, People and Sustainability in Action,” jointly organized by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat (FAO) and the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA).
Engagements and Connections
In the conference, members of Karakoram Basecamp:
- Established connections with officials from UIAA, Mountain Partnership, and Mountain Youth Hub, along with experts, PhD scholars, and activists.
- Engaged with impactful mountain voices on adaptation, resilience, and sustainability from around the globe.
- Highlighted the significance of the Third Pole (the Himalaya–Karakoram–Hindukush region), stressing its crucial role in global water security and climate resilience, while pointing out its relative neglect in international mountain discussions, despite being home to the largest ice reserves outside the polar regions.
- Exchanged views on the effects of glacier and snow loss, the livelihoods of mountain communities, and youth-led climate advocacy.
A notable moment was the opportunity to meet Sasha DiGiulian, an international rock climbing champion and Mountain Partnership Goodwill Ambassador. We exchanged insights regarding the rock climbing potential of the Karakoram and articulated our commitment to raising awareness about sports climbing in the High Himalayas, while exploring avenues for future collaborations and projects.
Session Highlights: Grounded in High Places
- Opening Remarks: Jan Cools (UIAA, Mountain Protection Commission)
- Keynote Speech: Sasha DiGiulian, on the connection between climbing and mountain advocacy
- Global Approach: Fabio Parisi (FAO, Mountain Partnership Secretariat)
- Regional Perspective: V. Ralph Clark (Afromontane Research Unit, South Africa)
- Local Insights: Paul Kwakkenbos (UIAA, Mountain Protection Commission)
- Youth in Action: Contributions from Sarisher Mann (SATI), Ritikaa Gupta (Mountain Youth Hub), and Tashi Lhazom (Filmmaker & climate activist)
- Q&A and Discussion with extensive audience participation
The session was characterized by high interactivity, engaging participants through real-time polling, panel discussions, and storytelling. It underscored the interconnectedness of scientific, cultural, and local narratives in fostering resilient mountain futures.
Karakoram Basecamp advocated:
- Reinforced our aim regarding the importance of elevating local mountain voices.
- Strengthened collaborations with international organizations for future joint initiatives.
- Emphasized the necessity for increased global acknowledgment of the Third Pole in mountain research, advocacy, and policy.
- Motivated to persist in promoting rock climbing and mountain sports as instruments for awareness and sustainable mountain development within the Karakoram and Himalayas
Participation in IMC 2025 reaffirmed the role of Karakoram Basecamp as a bridge between mountain communities in Pakistan and the global mountain network. By addressing critical issues such as the underrepresentation of the Third Pole, alongside promoting climbing and sustainability, we aspire to highlight the Karakoram as both a premier climbing destination and a crucial region for global climate resilience.