A three-day regional workshop on Policy Priorities for Sustainable Mountain Development, organized by the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), is set to begin in Kathmandu on Monday.

The workshop will discuss important policy issues, options, priorities, and solutions related to the conservation of natural resources, production of goods and services, environmental management, social and gender equity and sustainable development issues in the greater Himalayan region, according to a press release issued by ICIMOD here on Monday.

At least 60 high-level policymakers, researchers, and development managers including senior government officials from eight countries of the region -- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan -- and representatives from civil society, non-governmental organizations, and international research and development organizations are expected to participate in the workshop.

The workshop aims at developing an integrated and future- oriented strategy for accelerating the agenda of the Millennium Development Goals and sustainable development in the region.

The workshop is designed to contribute to better policy-making, institutional coordination, and regional cooperation for environment management and improved livelihoods of poor mountain communities, the release said.

Source: Xinhua