Invitation to participate in global e-consultations

The Mountain Forum is glad to inform its members and friends the
initiation of a global electronic consultation process undertaken
through an agreement with UNEP, inviting you all to actively
participate in this process.

UNEP is coordinating the production of ten thematic papers for
the Global Mountain Summit (BGMS-Bishkek, Kirgystan, Oct. 28-
Nov. 1, 2002), which will form the basis of the Bishkek Mountain
Platform, an action plan for future sustainable mountain
development. The themes of these papers are listed below. Leading
international figures in sustainable mountain development have
been commissioned to act as lead authors in order to prepare the
first drafts of these papers.

However, it is recognised that only with a much wider input and
gathering of knowledge and best practices from mountain ranges in
all regions of the world can these papers truly contribute to the
future of sustainable mountain development.

On behalf of the Mountain Forum, we invite you all to participate
in this process enriching the contents of the background
documents and effectively contribute to the future directions for
the conservation of mountains cultural and natural heritage and
their sustainable development.

Sincerely,
Dr. Hubert Zandstra
Chairman, Board of directors
Mountain Forum

Thematic papers:

A. International and national policies and instruments
A1. International and regional agreements and cooperation for
sustainable mountain development
A2. National policies and institutions for sustainable mountain
development

B. Sustaining mountain economies
B1. Legal, economic, and compensation mechanisms in support
of sustainable
Mountain development
B2. Sustainable livelihoods and poverty alleviation
B3. Tourism and the conservation and maintenance of
biological and cultural diversity

C. Mountain cultures and civil society
C1. Institutions for democratic and decentralized sustainable
mountain development
C2. Conflicts and peace in mountain areas

D. Science, technology, knowledge and education
D1. Mountain infrastructure: access, communications, energy
D2. Promotion and integration of education, science and culture in
mountain
protection and development

E. The challenges of mountain environments
E1. Water, natural resources, hazards, desertification and
the implications of climate
change.