 In the light of rapidly growing awareness of
the importance of mountain areas and based on an initiative from
Kyrgyzstan, The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared
2002 the International Year of Mountains (IYM) in November 1998.
FAO was assigned the lead agency role, in collaboration with governments,
in particular the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Holding the IYM presents both a big challenge and a great opportunity.
It should not be considered merely a period of isolated events,
but rather as an important step within the long-term process begun
at the Earth Summit (UNCED).
In this conference raising public awareness and ensuring adequate
political, institutional and financial commitment for concrete action
towards implementing sustainable mountain development have been
focused. The process should thus reach well beyond 2002. It should
be aimed primarily at helping poor and marginalized people living
in mountain areas and drawing attention to their cultural heritage.
It should also help to conserve or foster the sustainable use of
natural resources found in mountain areas. To ensure IYM success,
action on a number of fronts will be required: information generation
and exchange, awareness raising and sensitization, promoting conservation
and development of mountain resources for the well - being of mountain
communities, planned, coordinated and effective action, commitment
and dedication. IYM success will require national government action
to support the mountain agenda through appropriate policies.
Under the overall goal of ensuring the present and future well-being
of mountain communities, promoting the conservation and sustainable
development of mountain regions and celebrating the cultures and
heritage of mountain peoples, IYM objectives are as follow:
- Development of new initiatives in mountain areas to improve
the well-being of local people and to ensure adequate protection
of the environment.
- To increase awareness of and knowledge on, mountain ecosystems,
their dynamics and functioning, and their overriding importance
in providing a number of strategic goods and services essential
to the well-being of both rural and urban, highland and lowland
people, particularly water supply and food security.
- Promotion of information tools, such as media campaigns, publications
and training packages to encourage broad public dialogue and to
achieve greater international awareness of the importance of mountains.
- Formulation and implementation of appropriate national policies
on sustainable mountain development and conservation.
- Promote and defend cultural heritage of mountain communities
and indigenous knowledge of mountain people.
- Pay attention to frequent conflicts in mountain areas and to
promote peace in these regions.
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In June 1992, the Earth Summit (UNCED) was held in Rio de Janeiro.
Its most important output was Agenda 21, which was signed by 181 UN
member countries and which is structured into 40 chapters. Agenda
21 highlights key problems, formulates approaches for solutions and
proposes strategies for action for sustainable human development and
environmental protection into the twenty-first century.
Extracts from the original text of Chapter 13
MANAGING FRAGILE ECOSYSTEMS - SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT
Mountains are an important source of water, energy, minerals, forest
products, agricultural products and recreation. They are storehouses
of biological diversity and endangered species and an essential part
of the global ecosystem. Mountain ecosystems are highly vulnerable
and are increasingly susceptible to soil erosion, landslides and rapid
loss of habitat and genetic resources. Widespread poverty and expanding
populations among mountain inhabitants result in deforestation, cultivation
of marginal lands, excessive livestock grazing, loss of biomass cover
and other forms of environmental degradation. Hence the proper management
of mountain resources and socio-economic development of the people
deserves immediate action.
Dr. Jacques Diouf
Director - General
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
United Nations, New York
Tuesday, 11 December 2001
... More than half of humanity - three billion people - relies
on mountains for safe, fresh water - water to grow food, to produce
electricity, to sustain industries and, most importantly, water
to drink. Yet, as we gather here today, mountain glaciers - the
source of water for many of the world’s river systems and
people – are melting at unprecedented rates - a consequence,
many scientists suspect, of global warming.
Mountains are islands of biological diversity-home to, a unique
and seemingly infinite variety of plants and animals found nowhere
else. Mountains are also islands of cultural diversity, Home to
one-tenth of the world's population.
Together we must strengthen mountain cultures and eliminate poverty'
and hunger. This is the essential challenge of the International
Year of Mountains.
... I see 2002 as providing an extraordinary opportunity to reinforce
the implementation of chapter 13, and to move mountains even higher
on the global agenda, by increasing awareness of the importance
of mountain ecosystems and cultures. The goal of the International
Year of Mountains is both simple and ambitious: to ensure the well
- being of mountain people by promoting sustainable development
of mountain ecosystem. But there are two conditions that must already
be in place if nations are to achieve the goal. The first is peace.
The second is food security.
Together we can make a difference
... Wherever we may come from, however high or small the hills or
mountains may be in the land of our birth. We are all mountain people.
We are all dependent on mountains, connected to them, and affected
by them in ways we may never have previously imagined.
...I invite you to join me today in committing ourselves to the
eradication of both armed conflicts and hunger as a first step in
our observance of the International Year of Mountains.
Mountaineers, Climbers and Hill Walkers
- Value the freedom to enjoy the natural environment of mountains
and cliffs with responsible access
- Practise their sport compatibly with conservation and sustainability
of nature
- Believe that their freedom sport promotes important human and
social values
- Protect the wilderness of mountains and cliffs recognising their
environmental value and fragility
- Accept personal responsibility supported by codes of good conduct
- Contribute to sustainable growth of mountain tourism
- Do not claim liability of landholders for natural hazards
- www.mountains2002.org , International Year of Mountains official web site
- www.mtnforum.org ,
The Mountain Forum
- www.icimod.org ,
International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
- www.mountain.org ,
The Mountain Institute
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