Publications

Cordillera de Los Andes

09.09.2014

"Cordillera de Los Andes, una oportunidad para la integración y desarrollo de América del Sur", or "The Andes, an opportunity for integration and development in South America” describes a regional coordination mechanism being developed by six Andean countries as the result of a project coordinated by the Mountain Partnership Seceretariat of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO). This initiative recognizes that the economic, social and environmental vulnerability of mountain ecosystems requires integrated management to improve the quality of life of residents.

This 126-page publication, written under the coordination of Francisco Mendoza of FAO, covers the main aspects of the project – from the national assessments to the common regional elements and the opportunities offered by the Mountain Partnership for promoting a better regional cooperation. It contributes to the consolidation of a regional mechanism, composed of national mountain committees, whose purpose is to protect the Andes while also pursuing social and economic  development.

The book closes with recommendations on consolidating the national committees and the regional mechanism; identifying a process for the mountain committees to implement their action plans; and involving academia, local governments, the private sector and civil society in the process.

The regional mechanism aims to step up dialogue and more coordinated efforts among governments and organizations dedicated to sustainable development in mountain ecosystems. The six South American governments forming the mechanism - Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru - all belong to the Mountain Partnership. 

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