A platform of discussion
The participants of the Adelboden International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in Mountain Regions (Adelboden, Switzerland, June 2002) jointly agreed to “call on interested countries and other partners to establish an Adelboden Group on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in the Mountain Regions...”. According to the Declaration adopted by consensus at Adelboden, this Group is intended to be “a platform for discussion of policies and policy instruments, exchange of experience, and preparation of initiatives”. The Adelboden Group consists of different stakeholders (civil society, governments and international organizations) from all regions of the world.
Third Meeting of the Adelboden Group
October 2007, Rome, Italy
An essential partner for the SARD-M Project
The activity of the Adelboden Group has been focused on the FAO SARD-M Project. During meetings held once a year, the Adelboden Group has been consulted on the substantive content of the project and in particular on the priorities that need to be taken into consideration in the annual work programme of the project, the methodological matters, the themes of regional workshops, and the strategy for disseminating its results. In particular, it discusses the results and recommendations of the project.
The Group provided inputs for the formulation of the Project (First meeting in September 2003), proposed its priorities (Second meeting, October 2004), and discussed and proposed the orientations for its implementation through the Interim Bureau (meetings in December 2005 and November 2006). At its Third meeting in October 2007, the Group discussed and endorsed the key principles identified by the SARD-M Project for improved policy packages and institutional processes for SARD-M as well as major issues of importance to address in the future. These were outlined in a “Statement of the Adelboden Group on SARD-M”, which includes commitments by the various stakeholders for the dissemination of SARD-M Project findings, networking and collaboration for the integration of the SARD-M approach.
Mandate and activities for 2008-2009
The Bureau of the Adelboden Group met in March 2008 and defined the Group’s mandate as follows:
1. Assist national governments to incorporate a “Policies, Institutions, Processes” multisectoral approach. (PIP)
2. To be an action oriented think-tank for early identification of new actions / tools / mechanisms required for both public and private actors to cope with new challenges.
3. Act as a catalyst and driver for PIP through members (organizational and individuals) and appropriate mountain projects (SARD-M)
4. Support local actions to improve mountain livelihoods including though pilot projects with members and partners of governments, NGOs and civil society.
5. Facilitate exchanges of experiences and knowledge amongst various levels of members / players.
For 2008-2009, the Adelboden Group will thus continue its advisory role to the SARD-M Project, advocate on SARD-M policy issues at various events, including the UN Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD) and work towards mobilising funding for projects aiming to valorise positive externalities of mountain regions.
Fifth annual meeting of the Adelboden Group Bureau and the Regional Focal Points, FAO Rome, 17th April 2009
On 17 April, the Adelboden Group Bureau and the Regional Focal Points held their fifth annual meeting in form of a joint session in the morning, then two parallel workshops in the afternoon, concluding with a plenary session.
Regarding the Regional Focal Points meeting, the workshop underlined the active communication strategy driven by all participants, Thus among others, the CIHEAM launched an electronic platform with an one-line discussion forum with Moroccan stake holders, and the SARD-M project participated to the COP 2 of the Carpathian Convention in June 2008.
The Adelboden Group Bureau held also its fifth meeting, and had a special discussion on the workshop and SARD-M project in general. First, the AG Bureau assessed the activities carried out in relation with the 2008 work plan and addressed the recent workshop. It discussed the thematic and financial issues and the challenges for the project and provided recommendations for the follow up SARD-M activities; such as using some of the pilot projects to develop carbon certificates, or paying particular attention to gender issue. Then, the AG Bureau built a work plan for 2009-2010 and beyond including the presentation of the SARD-M project at a Member States meeting in May 2009 at FAO Head Quarters, and the preparation of full proposal for the third phase of the project.
