The SARD-M Project team participated in the Second Global Meeting of the Mountain Partnership at Cusco (Peru) on 28-29 October 2004, attended by 40 representatives of governments, international organisations and civil society organisations from all over the world. This meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the future activities of the Mountain Partnership, as an international alliance intended to improve the livelihoods of the people and to protect mountain environments worldwide. The meeting ended with the adoption of the "Andes Declaration" setting out the partners' commitment to working together, and the Cusco Framework for Action to steer the future activities of the Partnership. It also provided a valuable opportunity to debate the priorities that are common to both the SARD-M Project and the SARD-M Mountain Partnership initiative. A working group of about 40 members met on Thursday 28 October, emphasising possible linkages with other Mountain Partnership initiatives (Policy and Law, and Research).