Reports

Attachments: 

NORTH AMERICA-FINAL.pdf

North America’s mountains are a primary source of fresh water. Other natural resources, such as coal and natural gas, are pillars of North American energy economies. The recreation and tourism industry – the lifeblood of many mountain communities – contributes significant revenues for state and province budgets. And for many, mountains provide solace and a spiritual connection, and are treasured as places to experience the wonders of nature. But a warming climate, human encroachment, and some business practices present severe challenges to these fragile ecosystems.

Attachments: 

EASTERN EUROPE-VERY FINAL.pdf

The mountains of Europe have played a key social, economic and environmental role in the development of the nations of peoples that have resided there since time immemorial. Being both natural barriers and safe havens not only for people, but also for flora and fauna, the mountains have been instrumental in shaping the Europe of today.

Attachments: 

Africa Mtns - Exec summary & recommendations for Lucerne meeting.pdf

Africa is a huge landmass, covering about 20 percent of the world’s land surface area, and has a population of over 500 million people. About 10 percent of Africa’s surface area and 50 percent of the countries in Africa consist of highlands, mountains or steep sloping areas. The large mountains in Africa are limited to the north-western, eastern and south-eastern parts, while isolated and relatively smaller mountains are found scattered throughout the continent. Deeply incised valleys or escarpments with mountain-like slopes are also of special interest in Africa (see Figure 1).

Attachments: 

Green Economy Concept Paper.pdf

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD or Rio+20) to be held in June 2012 will have green economy as one of its two main themes. This paper has been prepared to strengthen arguments for discussing mountain issues at Rio+20 and in other global discourses. Our aim is to ensure renewed efforts and commitment by the global community at Rio+20 to prioritise mountain issues in development agendas and processes dealing with poverty reduction, food security, climate change, and other issues that are critical to sustainable development in mountain areas.

Attachments: 

MESO AMERICA FINAL Mountains Report.pdf

The main threats to mountains are: mining industry, hydro-electric dams, and climatic impacts from climate change. There is no mountain culture in Mesoamerica which is comparable to the mountain culture in the Andes, Alps or Himalaya. A mountain culture must be developed at all levels and mountains must be part of local, national and regional agendas. 86 indigenous ethnic groups occupy 118,136 km2 or 54.2% of mountain territories in Mesoamerica. Indigenous ethnic groups must be at the core of decision-making of sustainable development in mountainous areas in the region.

Attachments: 

ANDES FINAL Andes_report_eng_final.pdf

Informe_Andes_español.pdf

The Andes, the world’s longest mountain chain, on the east side of the Pacific ring of Fire, form the backbone of South America and are a major global physiographic feature, influencing climate, seismic energy, biodiversity, human culture and history around the world.

Attachments: 

SustainableMountainDevelopment-SEAP_From Rio1992toRio2012.pdf

The report aims to provide an overview and assessment of trends, issues, and challenges for promoting the agenda of sustainable mountain development in the SEAP region since 1992 highlighting the progress made and lessons learned in key sectors and sub-sectors; it covers all the three pillars of sustainable development and scopes out opportunities in the two themes of the Rio+20 – Green Economy and Institutional Framework for sustainable development and poverty reduction.

Attachments: 

MENA FINAL PDF.pdf

This report is presented in three parts: the first sets up the stage for the discourse on MENA Mountains, the second provides an evaluation of sustainable mountain development discussing progress, changes and lessons learnt, and the third addresses challenges to green economy and issues relevant to Rio +20 in the MENA region.

Attachments: 

Central-Asia-Mountains.pdf

Central-Asia-Mountains-ru.pdf

The present report aims to provide an easily understandable illustrated overview of trends and challenges in the sustainable mountain development of Central Asia since 1992, highlight selected achievements and lessons learned by various stakeholders and identify opportunities. It builds on information from the original experience and interviews with key actors, official and scientific sources and numerous news.

Attachments: 

HKH_FINAL_Regional_Report_HKH_29May.pdf

The report aims to provide an overview and assessment of trends, issues, and challenges for promoting the agenda of sustainable mountain development in the HKH region since 1992 highlighting the progress made and lessons learned in key sectors and sub-sectors; it covers all the three pillars of sustainable development and scopes out opportunities in the two themes of the Rio+20 – Green Economy and Institutional Framework for sustainable development and poverty reduction.