The 56th Meeting of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Board of Governors and associated meetings are held in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan province, from April 23 to 27, 2025. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 56th Meeting of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Board of Governors and associated meetings were held in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan province, from April 23 to 27.

Established in 1983, the Kathmandu-based intergovernmental center focuses on improving the lives and livelihoods of men, women, and children of the Hindu Kush Himalaya and protect mountain environments and cultures.

The center's member countries are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan. China holds the rotating presidency of the Board of Governors this year.

About 120 experts and representatives from governments and international organizations gathered in Kunming to take part in the annual meeting.

As one of the founding member states and a country with a significant mountainous terrain, China has long been committed to the cause of sustainable mountain development in the region, achieving remarkable results.

During the period, participants visited the Permanent Biodiversity Exhibition Hall in Kunming, an important part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

They also joined in the activities to exchange views on the conservation of mountain biodiversity, climate change, air pollution, green agricultural development and South-South cooperation.