Economic and Social Council

 Distr. GENERAL
17 June  1998
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

Substantive session of 1998
New York, 6-31 July 1998
Item 7 (e) of the provisional agenda*

     E/1998/100.


           Coordination, programme and other questions: 
        proclamation of an international year of mountains

                 Report of the Secretary-General


Contents         

                                                       Paragraphs  Page

      Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1-2        2

  I.  Desirability of proclaiming an international year 
      of mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    3-10       2

      A.  Indications of support for a year, including 
          suggestions for proposed activities. . . . .    4-8        2

      B.  Timing of an international year of mountains    9-10       4

 II.  Ensuring the sustainable development of mountain 
      countries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   11-13       4

III.  Conclusions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   14-16       6


          Introduction


1.   The Economic and Social Council, in its resolution
1997/45 of 22 July 1997 entitled "Proclamation of an
international year of mountains", mindful that mountains
represented an essential component of the global life-support 
system and recognizing that they were essential to
the survival of the global ecosystem, welcomed and
supported the ongoing efforts to protect fragile mountain
ecosystems and to promote sustainable mountain
development. In the same resolution, the Council requested
the Secretary-General, in consultation with Governments
and relevant international, regional and non-governmental
organizations, to submit to the Council at its substantive
session of 1998, a report on the desirability of proclaiming
an international year of mountains and on other ways and
means of ensuring the sustainable development of mountain
countries.
 
2.   In accordance with the above-mentioned request, the
Chairman of the Commission on Sustainable Development,
which considers sustainable mountain development in the
context of its periodic reviews of the implementation of
chapter 13 (Managing fragile ecosystems: sustainable
mountain development) of Agenda 21, 1/ sought the views of
member States and observer States on this matter. Similar
invitations for comments were conveyed to the
organizations of the United Nations system participating in
the Inter-Agency Committee on Sustainable Development
(IACSD) of the Administrative Committee on Coordination
(ACC), as well as to international, regional and non-governmental
organizations with an interest in sustainable
mountain development. The replies received from all these
sources have provided valuable assistance in the preparation
of the present report. The Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which serves as
IACSD task manager for chapter 13 of Agenda 21, provided
a significant contribution to this report.


        I.     Desirability of proclaiming an
               international year of mountains


3.   The inclusion of a separate chapter on mountains in
Agenda 21, adopted by the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development in 1992, indicates the
crucial importance of these fragile ecosystems to the
international community. As noted in Economic and Social
Council resolution 1997/45, at least one fifth of the Earth's
land surface is covered by mountains, and about 10 per cent
of the world's population live in mountainous regions,
including highlands. A far greater proportion of the world's
population depends on mountain resources such as water,
agriculture, forestry, mining and biological diversity. It is
estimated that mountains provide the freshwater needs for
more than half of humanity -- are, in effect, the "water
towers" of the world -- a point brought out in the recent
discussion of freshwater issues at the sixth session of the
Commission on Sustainable Development held from 20
April to 1 May 1998. 2/  Mountains also provide a significant
portion of the Earth's timber, minerals and grazing land. As
reported by FAO, mountains harbour by far the largest
number of distinct ethnic groups, varied remnants of
cultural traditions, environmental knowledge and habitat
adaptations; they host some of the world's most complex
agro-cultural gene pools and traditional management
practices. The fact that mountains offer a rich variety of vast
natural landscapes and cultures has made them very
attractive in terms of tourism, one of the world's largest
industries. These resources and services in mountain areas
are of more than national or regional importance; they have
a truly global significance for the future of humankind. 3/



        A.     Indications of support for a year,
               including suggestions for proposed
               activities


4.   The replies received from Governments and
international, regional and non-governmental organizations
to the requests for views on the desirability of declaring an
international year of mountains recognize the important and
essential attributes of mountains described above and the
critical need to protect and manage sustainably their fragile
ecosystems. All 16 replies received from Governments
support the proposal to proclaim an international year of
mountains and several indicate that they are already
planning or considering special activities to be held in
connection with such a year. In Kyrgyzstan, a number of
activities are planned or have already been undertaken as
a follow-up to the 1996 Bishkek conference and in
preparation for an international year, including a regional
"Workshop on Central Asian Mountains", held in Bishkek
in May 1998. The Government of Kyrgyzstan hopes that this
workshop, which was held in collaboration with the Asia
Pacific Mountain Network (APMN) and the International
Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD),
will be a model for additional regional meetings on other
continents held to mark an international year of mountains.
The sponsors expect that inputs from such meetings could
contribute to a proposed international conference on
mountains and development that would take place in
Bishkek during such an international year. In addition, the
International University of Kyrgyzstan and ICIMOD have
agreed, in a memorandum of understanding signed in
January 1998, on a number of other preparatory activities,
including the establishment of an international organizing
committee for a year of mountains. Other specific ideas with
respect to promoting an international year include a
proposal by Andorra to organize an international seminar
on the influence of a mountain environment on the
philosophy of foreign relations, and the possible convening
by Switzerland of a symposium linking science and
community development.

5.   Several other States (Germany, Italy, Pakistan,
Turkey) indicated that they would be planning special
events to celebrate an international year of mountains
should a decision be taken to declare one. Some respondents
(France, Switzerland) noted the importance of regional
initiatives, for example, within the framework of the Alpine
Convention. 4/  Others (Japan, Lesotho) have stated that
activities would be planned in connection with national
legislative proposals, including national action plans for
Agenda 21. Mongolia conveyed the expectation that an
international year of mountains would contribute to a better
understanding of landlocked mountainous countries.

6.   Among United Nations organizations, FAO has been
designated task manager for mountain issues by IACSD and
could be expected to continue its role as lead agency during
an international mountain year. To facilitate the
implementation of chapter 13 of Agenda 21, FAO has been
planning to hold a global consultation on sustainable
mountain development in 1999 or 2000, but the
organization has indicated that the year could be changed
to coincide with an international year of mountains, should
one be declared after 1999 or 2000. FAO sees the objectives
of an international year of mountains as encompassing
increased awareness of, and knowledge about, mountain
ecosystems, their dynamics and functioning; promotion and
defence of the cultural heritage of mountain communities;
and conservation and sustainable development of mountain
resources for present and future human well-being.

7.   The United Nations University (UNU) has also been
active in promoting mountain research and development,
particularly during the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development process, and currently
supports (with the International Mountain Society) a
quarterly journal called "Mountain Research and
Development". UNU anticipates that an international year
of mountains could contribute to a better public awareness
of the value and fragility of mountain environments and
could correct some of the misunderstandings concerning
mountains that continue to exist. The United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) also contributes to the study and protection of
mountain areas through its Man and the Biosphere (MAB)
Programme.

8.   Non-governmental organizations involved in mountain
issues are committed to pursuing the goals of chapter 13 of
Agenda 21, as well as to addressing new concerns such as
conservation, culture and sacred values. Building on the
momentum from the Earth Summit, a world consultation of
mountain non-governmental organizations held in Lima in
February 1995 formally established the International
Mountain Forum, a network of organizations, institutions
and individuals with a shared interest in sustainable
mountain development. With major financial support
provided by the Government of Switzerland, the Mountain
Forum operates primarily as a decentralized structure with
regional and subregional focal points established to
coordinate networking activities. Much of its work is carried
out through electronic mail consultations and conferences,
which have helped canvass the views of a large number of
non-governmental organizations on the desirability of
proclaiming an international year. The Forum's regional
networks have indicated their vigorous support for a United
Nations declaration of an international year of mountains
and have pledged the full cooperation and efforts of their
members in its celebration. One of these, APMN is, as noted
above, already working with ICIMOD and the International
University of Kyrgyzstan to prepare for an international
conference on mountains and development to be held during
an international year. APMN sees among the benefits to be
gained from such a year the further development of
information networks, especially in the newly independent
Central Asian States, and the stimulation of scientific
research on mountain problems. APMN also has plans to
collaborate with other partners in a travelling photographic
exhibition to be called "Mountains of the world". The
Mountain Institute (TMI), which currently serves as global
representative for the over 600 members of the Mountain
Forum, anticipates that the proclamation of an international
year would not only greatly enhance global awareness of
fragile mountain ecosystems, but also call attention to the
need for specific policies and activities that support
integrated community-based approaches to addressing the
special needs of mountain people, who are among the
world's poorest. In addition, several national non-governmental 
organizations based in India and Azerbaijan
have responded to the request for views with their firm
support for the declaration of an international year of
mountains.


     B.  Timing of an international year of mountains


9.   The Economic and Social Council's consideration in
1997 of an international year of mountains was based on a
proposal submitted by the observer for Kyrgyzstan which
had called for the proclaiming of such a year in 2000. 5/  This
date would coincide with the eighth session of the
Commission on Sustainable Development, which will focus
on integrated planning and management of land resources,
including mountain resources. Pakistan and all the non-governmental
organizations that replied to the request for
views supported Kyrgyzstan's suggested timing. The
majority of other responses -- though small in number -- saw
it as essential that there be adequate time for preparing an
international year and considered that 2000 might be too
soon to allow sufficient lead time. It was also noted that in
1997 the General Assembly had already proclaimed two
international years to be celebrated in 2000, the
International Year for the Culture of Peace and the
International Year of Thanksgiving, in addition to calling
attention to other activities in connection with the
millennium -- and proclaimed the year 2001 as the
International Year of Volunteers 6/. Austria, Germany and
Switzerland suggested in their responses that an
international year of mountains could be held in 2002, when
the 10-year overall review and appraisal of the
implementation of Agenda 21 would take place. Such an
approach has recently been supported by the Government
of Kyrgyzstan. FAO considers that choosing a year between
2001 and 2003 would help ensure more substantive
activities and more concrete results. 

10.  It should perhaps be noted that the guidelines for
future international years, contained in the annex to
Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/67 of 25 July
1980 and adopted by the General Assembly in its decision
35/424 of 5 December 1980, contain procedures for
organizing the celebration of international years that are
relevant to the question of timing. Paragraph 16 of the
guidelines states that in general, there should be a period
of two years between the proclamation of an international
year and the beginning of that year.


       II.     Ensuring the sustainable
               development of mountain countries


11.  In considering ways and means through which
Governments and international, regional, national and local
organizations could help achieve a better understanding of
mountain issues and greater cooperation in ensuring
sustainable mountain development, the Economic and
Social Council in its resolution 1997/45 highlighted the
following key elements:

               (a)     Awareness-raising activities (para. 1);

               (b)     Coordination of regional and international
cooperation (para. 2);

               (c)     Exchange of information and experiences
(para. 2);

               (d)     Support for subregional and interregional
agreements on mountains regarding their protection and
sustainable and equitable development (para. 3);

               (e)     Encouragement of regional, national and
international networking activities (para. 4).

Each of these elements can make an important contribution
to the furtherance of international cooperation and
understanding, which constitute the declared purpose of
celebrating international years. Each also encompasses, to
varying extents, existing activities that offer opportunities
for further success in efforts to ensure the sustainable
development of mountain areas and their inhabitants.

12.  Actions in support of these five areas can and do take
place at all levels: at the international level through the
Commission on Sustainable Development's monitoring of
the implementation of chapter 13, through the FAO
programmes dealing with sustainable mountain development
and watershed management, and through the activities of
other organizations such as UNESCO (MAB programme),
the World Meterological Organization (WMO), the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UNU; at
regional and subregional levels through those organizations
and treaties devoted to specific mountain ranges of regions
(for example, the Alpine Convention, APMN) and the
network of agricultural research centres known as the
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
(CGIAR); nationally through domestic legislative
procedures and government initiatives, including the
adoption of mountain-specific policies and laws and the
establishment of national plans and commissions for
sustainable development; and locally through grass-roots,
largely non-governmental organizations, support for
traditional, indigenous knowledge systems and the cultural
heritage of mountain communities, as well as the
improvement of the economic and social conditions of
mountain peoples.

13.  Possible ways and means to further the sustainable
development of mountain areas are discussed below
according to the type of activities identified by the
Economic and Social Council last year. The analysis has
been suggested by FAO, as task manager for chapter 13.
FAO supports the view that all these activities would likely
be more widespread, more inclusive, and more effective
with the added impetus that an international year of
mountains could bring. The discussion may be set forth as
follows:

               (a)     Awareness-raising: although there have been
intensive efforts by organizations and groups dealing with
mountains to inform people about, and involve them in,
issues regarding mountains and their communities, further
awareness-raising activities regarding mountain issues are
required. While mountain specialists and interest groups are
largely communicating through the Mountain Forum and
other regional and local groups, the mountain communities
need further support in the generation and dissemination of
knowledge and experiences. In the view of FAO, a wealth
of information and promotion activities have been launched
since the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development at global, regional and national levels;
however, awareness-raising activities at the national,
subnational and local levels could be expanded to, inter
alia:

          (i)     Inform the urban population (for example,
          schoolchildren) of the complex interrelationships
          existing between mountain and urban areas (in terms,
          for instance, of freshwater quantity and quality, sports
          and other recreational activities, specific products
          from mountain areas) and thereby improve (or re-establish)
          understanding and solidarity between upland and lowland 
          communities;

          (ii)     Provide an impetus to create awareness and
          involve a greater number of stakeholders including
          national and local government structures, non-governmental
          organizations, communities and the
          private sector in the implementation of chapter 13;

          (iii)     Raise awareness on the need for reconciling
          conservation and development;

          (iv)     Provide an opportunity to raise awareness on
          biological diversity in mountain ecosystems;

          (v)     Raise awareness of geopolitical issues
          connected with mountains;

               (b)     Coordination of regional and international
cooperation: a number of ongoing initiatives and
cooperative frameworks have a particular relevance for
mountain issues. Further efforts could help in promoting a
common approach to and greater coordination of the
implementation of international conventions and agreements
(for example, on climate change, biological diversity,
desertification, coastal areas and the MAB programme). An
important development for future work was the October
1995 decision of the Council of the Global Environment
Facility (GEF) to include mountain ecosystems in one of
four operational programmes within the biodiversity focal
area. The importance of mountain ecosystems has also been
emphasized by the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on Biological Diversity. Furthermore, since
1997, GEF resources have also been directed to mountain
areas through a UNU project called "People, land
management and environmental change (PLEC)";

               (c)     Exchange of information and experiences: since
the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development, the "Mountain Agenda" (as the issues
addressed in chapter 13 are called) has generated
considerable enthusiasm and cooperative efforts, largely
because of the dedication of the non-governmental
organization community. An international year of mountains
might be expected to provide a stimulus for further
exploration and coordination of initiatives towards
sustainable mountain development. In combination with the
awareness-raising activities mentioned above, further efforts
are required to enhance the collection, exchange and
dissemination of information related to mountain issues and
"best practices" , based on the results of the large number
of projects and programmes relevant to mountains initiated
by United Nations agencies, national Governments and
bilateral development agencies, international research
centres and universities, international and local non-governmental
organizations and committed individuals. A
greater knowledge and awareness of the circumstances
facing, mountain inhabitants and the constraints and
challenges they are confronting, especially the most
vulnerable groups of women, children and the
disadvantaged, are required; but information should also be
spread about the wealth of cultural values of which the
mountain communities are depositories and guardians;

               (d)     Support for subregional and interregional
agreements on mountains: a number of regional initiatives
on sustainable mountain development have been
undertaken. Various initiatives by mountain countries in the
Alps, Andes, Carpathians, Caucasus, Himalaya-Hindu Kush
and Pyrenees regions also provide possible frameworks for
further cooperation at the scale of mountain ranges and
complexes. There are, however, many mountain ranges -- 
particularly in other parts of Asia and Eastern Europe, and
in Africa and Central America -- where considerable
opportunities exist for regional initiatives to be fostered by
interested regional and national Governments, bilateral
agencies, international organizations, and others. The
various regional elements of the Mountain Forum may have
a particular role to play in mobilizing key stakeholders.
There is also a need for more transborder collaboration
among countries sharing services from the same mountain
ranges or unique biological riches;

               (e)     Regional, national and international networking:
as indicated earlier, non-governmental organizations at all
levels -- international, regional and local -- have taken a
central role in developing and implementing networking
initiatives among the international mountain community.
The creation and expansion of the Mountain Forum,
especially the worldwide Internet services maintained by
the Mountain Institute (<http://www.mtnforum.org>), have
been successful, but these efforts require further and
continued support. A better sharing of knowledge,
technology and experience is necessary for the effective
management of mountain ecosystems.


                   III. Conclusions


14.  The adoption by the international community in 1992
of chapter 13 of Agenda 21 has generated a genuine
enthusiasm for and interest in mountain ecosystems and
their conservation and sustainable development. This
interest is a shared one among mountain communities, non-governmental
organizations, international organizations and
governmental institutions, at national, regional and
international levels. There is a continuing need for rigorous
interdisciplinary scientific research on mountains that takes
into account the knowledge and traditions of the mountain
inhabitants themselves. This need was emphasized in an
independent 1997 study, prepared for the General
Assembly's nineteenth special session to review the
implementation of Agenda 21, which concluded that the
global database on mountains was "unacceptably sparse"
and that whatever data existed were often unreliable. Given
the reality of an increasing scarcity of research funds, the
authors called for further international collaborative efforts,
including standardization of objectives and methods,
sharing of data banks and identification of minimum needs. 7/

15.  A more recent report, to be published by FAO in the
latter half of 1998, concludes that what is now needed is an
agreed prioritization -- at regional and global levels -- of the
objectives contained in chapter 13 and other components
of the "Mountain Agenda". The report suggests that while
freshwater, biological diversity and tourism might be global
priorities, each of the intergovernmental and non-governmental 
organization consultations held since Rio has
produced its own, different set of priorities for mountain
issues. The elaboration of national action plans for mountain
areas and the integration of mountain concerns in national
policies and strategies for sustainable development could
help focus the decision-making process in mountain
countries. 8/

16.  The argument has been put forth by the active
participants of the mountain community -- Governments,
international organizations, research institutions, non-governmental
organizations, individuals and scholars -- that
the proclamation of an international year of mountains
would provide an impetus for the work still required to
achieve the objective of chapter 13, namely, sustainable
mountain development. Other ways and means have also
been suggested. The largely untapped role of the private
sector -- especially major industries like tourism, energy,
forestry and mining, which affect mountain regions around
the world -- also offers opportunities. 9/  While there is now
a greater recognition of the enormous value mountains
confer on the global economy, society and environment,
much still needs to be done at all levels to protect, conserve
and sustainably manage these resources. The responses
received from Governments, non-governmental
organizations and organizations of the United Nations
system suggest that the proclamation of an international year
of mountains at an appropriate time could contribute to the
efforts to achieve such objectives.


                                  Notes

          1/   Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and
               Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992, vol. I,
               Resolutions Adopted by the Conference (United Nations
               publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigendum),
               resolution 1, annex II.

          2/   See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council,
               1998, Supplement No. 9 (E/1998/29); also Mountains of the
               World: Water Towers for the 21st Century, a report prepared
               for the Commission on Sustainable Development by the
               Mountain Agenda, with support from the Swiss Agency for
               Development and Cooperation, Bern, 1998.

          3/   Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
               (FAO), Review of Implementation of Chapter 13 of Agenda 21
               from 1992 to 1997 (Rome, forthcoming), report prepared by
               Dr. Martin Price. See also Report of the Secretary-General on
               overall progress achieved since the United Nations Conference
               on Environment and Development: managing fragile
               ecosystems: sustainable mountain development
               (E/CN.17/1997/2/Add.12), prepared by FAO for the fifth
               session of the Commission on Sustainable Development.

          4/   International Convention for the Protection of the Alps
               (Alpine Convention), signed by five Alpine countries and the
               European Union in 1991, entered into force in 1995. Two
               additional countries signed it subsequently.

          5/   See letter dated 30 January 1997 from the Permanent
               Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations
               addressed to the Secretary-General (E/1997/3); and also
               A/52/3.

          6/   See General Assembly resolutions 52/15 entitled
               "Proclamation of the year 2000 as the International Year for
               the Culture of Peace"; 52/16 entitled "International Year of
               Thanksgiving, 2000"; and 52/17 entitled "International Year
               of Volunteers, 2001", all adopted without a vote on 20
               November 1997. 

          7/   See Mountains of the World: A Global Priority, B. Messerli
               and J. D. Ives, eds. (New York and London, Parthenon
               Publishing Group, 1997), pp. 12-13, and 455.
                
          8/   See FAO, Review of Implementation ... The section entitled
               "Chapter 13 after UNGASS" is particularly relevant
               (pp. 52-65 of the unedited text).

          9/   Some of these opportunities are discussed in Investing in
               Mountains: Innovative Mechanisms and Promising Examples
               for Financing Conservation and Sustainable Development,
               L. Presont, ed. (Franklin, West Virginia, Mountain
               Institute/FAO, 1997). The publication reports on an
               "electronic conference" organized by the Mountain Forum in
               1996.

        

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