UNITED
NATIONS
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Message
from
H.E. Dr. Han Seung-soo
President of the General Assembly
On
the Occasion of the Launching Ceremony of the
United Nations International Year of Mountains 2002
11 December 2001
I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of the launching ceremony of the International Year of Mountains. Taking this opportunity, I would like to commend the leadership of the Mountains Focus Group and efforts made by their respective governments as well as the Food and Agricultural Organization and The Mountain Institute in preparing this event. I would also like to thank those governments who have kindly agreed to sponsor the launching ceremony.
The designation of
the International Year of Mountains is a result of a long process by which
we can also observe the gradual enhancement of our awareness of the importance
of mountains in our ecosystems, and in our programs for sustainable economic
development. The 1992 Earth Summit and its Agenda 21 Chapter 13
"Managing fragile ecosystems : sustainable mountain development" was a
significant turning point. It marked the first time when we took
a hard look at the mountain issue. The Global Mountain Forum, created
in 1995, played a pivotal role by providing a network of networks for
information sharing and mutual support among those active entities and
groups interested in this issue. In November 1998, The General Assembly
adopted its resolution 53/24 and declared the Year 2002 as International
Year of Mountains; and FAO was assigned the lead agency role in collaboration
with other agencies and NGOs.
In my capacity as President of the General Assembly as well as a mountain lover, I sincerely hope that the International Year of Mountains will not only move the mountain issues higher on the global agenda, but also will open the door to further concrete actions and initiatives on regional as well as national levels. I also believe that the international community should build on the momentum provided by the International Year of Mountains to achieve genuine sustainable development of mountains.
I also would like
to note that the International Year of Mountains 2002 will make an appropriate
link with the 10th anniversary of the Earth Summit, and the observance
of the Sustainability Summit that will take place in Johannesburg, South
Africa in 2002. It would thus live up to the objective stated in
the Declaration of IYM that "The International year of Mountains 2002
fosters the conservation and the sustainable development of mountain regions,
thus assuring the welfare of mountain communities and those in the lowlands."
Thank you.