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Concept paper
Preface
In November 1998, the UN General Assembly declared 2002 the International Year of Mountains. This decision offers a good opportunity and exciting challenge in the follow-up to Chapter 13 (Sustainable Mountain Development) of Agenda 21. It provides a unique platform to reinforce the long-term process started at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil of raising public awareness and ensuring adequate political, institutional and financial commitment to concrete action for sustainable mountain development, hopefully well beyond 2002.
FAO was invited to act as the lead agency for International Year of Mountains, a role approved by the FAO Council in November 1998. In the UN Resolution, Governments, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and other organizations, were requested to collaborate with FAO.
This concept paper prepared by FAO - presents a guide for International Year of Mountains preparation and implementation. It provides general guidelines and a framework for all institutions and individuals involved in mountain-related issues and in International Year of Mountains preparations. It includes an introduction to Chapter 13 , International Year of Mountains, and key players and networks involved in mountain-related issues, a description of possible and proposed activities, and a vision of projected International Year of Mountains outputs. Funding issues essential for success are also considered.
More detailed and targeted information and awareness-raising material will be provided through a variety of media to facilitate preparing for the year during the period leading up to 2002.
Mr. Hosny El-Lakany
Assistant Director-General
Forestry Department
FAO
