The region that encompasses the Hindu Kush Himalayas mountain range and the Tibetan Plateau is widely known as the Third Pole because its ice fields contain the largest reserve of freshwater outside the polar regions. This region is the source of the 10 major river systems that provide irrigation, power and drinking water to over 1.9 billion people in Asia – over 24% of the world’s population.

The Third Pole works on the principle that sustainable development is possible only with the active cooperation of those most affected by policies. Our reports and commentary seek to involve both experts and policymakers at the highest levels of government, as well as to showcase perspectives from the people who live in the basins of rivers that flow down from the Hindu Kush Himalayas. We do this most often through the eyes of journalists living and working among the people. The free flow of information and knowledge, both vertically between communities and policymakers as well as horizontally across borders, is at the core of our work.  We welcome your comments and contributions.