SMDS-IX: Virtual Mode, Hosted by Sustainable Development Forum Uttarancha

Date: 08th -14th December 2020

The Ninth Summit was held virtually and hosted by the Sustainable Development Forum of Uttaranchal (SDFU) and Uttarakhand State Council for Science & Technology (UCOST), an institutional member of IMI. It was attended by over 1000+ people. The theme for this year was “Emerging Pathways for Building a Resilient Mountain Economy: Adaptation, Innovation and Acceleration”. SDMS-IX edition also builds on the previous SDMS work of developing a sustainable ecosystem for young entrepreneurs in IHR and leveraging the enhanced need for more youth engagement in the current scenario. The conclave of Chief ministers and Legislators was also held. During the conclave of Chief Ministers and Legislators, the findings of the research and academic deliberations held during SDMS’s 9th edition presented to devise a road map for the Sustainable Development of the Himalayan States. The themes proposed for discussion in this summit conformed with the IMI’s vision and mission with the hope of conceptualizing more specific targets and solutions that would benefit the mountain and hill states. The 3rd Indian Himalayan Youth Summit held as part of the SMDS-IX was attended by over 200+ youth participants from all across the Indian Himalayan states. Despite the trying times of COVID-19, the enthusiasm shown by the youth participants signaled the successful commencement of the weeklong event. A “Mountain Legislators Meet” was also held where Mountain Legislators from across the Himalayan region engaged with Experts on the key concerns of Health and Tourism during the pandemic and on how to work together to achieve common goals.

The INAUGURAL PROGRAMME began on 11th December 2019 coincided with International Mountain Day with the theme, “mountain biodiversity”, wherein the speakers introduced varied natural bounties of the Himalayas and talked about collaborations, efforts and suggestions that could potentially serve in developing the mountain region. This session was attended by the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat, by the Guest of Honor, Honorable Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri Conard K. Sangma, along with Dr. Eklavya Sharma, Deputy Director General of ICIMOD, etc