Background
In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) agreed on a global action programme on sustainable development, called Agenda 21. In this framework, FAO's Forestry Department was assigned the role of Task Manager of Chapter 13 of Agenda 21, "Managing fragile ecosystems: sustainable mountain development". The activities connected to this effort are referred to collectively as the "Mountain Agenda".
Full text of Chapter 13Reporting
One of the primary responsibilities of Task Managers has been reporting on implementation of Agenda 21. This is generally carried out through task manager reports, which are working documents that subsequently become reports of the UN Secretary-General to the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD). FAO, throughout this implementation period, has attempted to make the reporting process for Chapter 13 a collaborative effort by involving a number of other UN agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations, in the drafting and review of reports.Information exchange
Other responsibilities of the Task Manager include strengthening information exchange; promoting interagency consultation; catalysing joint activities and programmes; and developing common strategies. With the aim of enhancing cooperation and collaboration in these areas, FAO established an ad hoc interagency group for Chapter 13 in early 1994. The group is made up of various UN agencies as well as a number of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in mountain development and conservation issues. The inclusion and active participation of organizations from outside the UN system has provided the opportunity for a wide range of views and perspectives to be considered in the ongoing implementation of Chapter 13, thus enabling a more balanced and equitable approach. The group has met on four different occasions since it was formed and has proven to be an effective means of ensuring close consultation and interaction among interested parties and a fully collaborative approach to implementation of the Mountain Agenda.
As Task Manager, FAO works closely with other international organizations and governments to help implement Chapter 13 and strengthen partnerships in the process. FAO also works closely with NGOs on the Mountain Agenda, coordinating with them in organizing meetings and in developing communication and information sharing.
Principles and best management practices
A project is under way to develop a set of principles and best management practices for sustainable mountain development. This is a cooperative effort between FAO and the Mountain Forum, a network of organizations linked to work together and share information on mountain activities. As a first output, the proceedings of a widely attended e-mail conference on Investing in Mountains have been recently published and are being widely distributed. These will be followed shortly by those of a second e-mail conference on Mountain Policy and Laws.
Regional consultations
FAO has supported regional intergovernmental consultations on mountains in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America. All meetings have produced a series of recommendations to Governments for the improvement of the conditions of mountain dwellers and ecosystems.