Dear Members and Friends, Initial discussions on the Zero Draft document took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 25 through 27 January 2012. Chapters I & II were reviewed. Statements are available here . The First Round of "Informal-informal" negotiations will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 19 through 23 March 2012. Discussions will continue on Chapters III, IV and V.
Act now! The 9 Major Groups of Agenda 21 (Business & Industry, Children & Youth, Farmers, Indigenous Peoples, Local Authorities, NGOs, Scientific & Technological Community, Women, Workers & Trade Union) can give their comments on the Text of the Zero Draft of the Outcome Document. Comments can still be given on the entire document. Comments must be emailed by 17 February to Ms Chantal Line Carpentier, CSD Major Groups Programme Coordinator: carpentier@un.org
Help shape the profile of mountains in the "Zero Draft" Chapter V includes a succinct paragraph of mountains, paragraph 94. Join the Mountain Partnership and help shape the profile of mountains in the "Zero Draft". Email paragraph 94 to Ms Carpentier with our suggested changes, or feel free to include your own. If you send our version, simply replace "Mountain Partnership" with your organization's name. Please note: Ms Carpentier prefers receiving comments in the same manner in which Member States give their contributions. Below is an example of how to include comments in an existing paragraph: (existing) Chapter V parag. 94 Mountains We recognize that mountains are highly vulnerable to global changes such as climate change, and are often home to communities including of indigenous peoples, who have
developed sustainable uses of their resources yet are often marginalized, sometimes with high poverty rates, exposure to natural risks and food insecurity. We recognize the benefits derived from mountains and their associated ecosystems. We also recognize the need to explore global, regional, national, and local mechanisms to compensate and reward mountain communities for the services they provide through ecosystem protection. (comments) Chapter V parag. 94 Mountains We recognize that mountain [s - Mountain Partnership delete] [ecosystems – Mountain Partnership] are highly vulnerable to global changes such as climate change, and are often home to communities including of indigenous peoples, who have developed sustainable uses of their resources yet are often marginalized, sometimes with high poverty rates, exposure to natural risks and food insecurity. [We stress the importance of recognizing the vulnerability of mountain ecosystems within the three Rio conventions and of adopting action plans for each related to sustainable development - Mountain Partnership]. We recognize the [positive and unaccounted economic - Mountain Partnership] benefits [derived from mountains and their associated ecosystems – Mountain Partnership delete] [that mountains and mountain ecosystems provide not only to highland communities, but also to a large portion of the worldʼs population living in lowland areas – Mountain Partnership]. We also recognize the need to explore global, regional, national, and local mechanisms to compensate and reward mountain communities for the [essential resources and Mountain Partnership] services they provide [for human well-being and economic activity - Mountain Partnership] through ecosystem protection. [We underline the importance of developing innovative means of financing for their protection Mountain Partnership] [We welcome the growing contribution of sustainable tourism initiatives in mountain regions as a way to enhance environmental protection and socioeconomic benefits to local communities and the fact that consumer demand is increasingly moving towards responsible and sustainable tourism - Mountain Partnership] [We stress the importance of building capacity, strengthening institutions and enhancing higher and continuing education on mountain issues in order to expand opportunities and encourage the retention of skilled people, including youth, in mountain areas - Mountain Partnership]
[We stress the importance of promoting educational and advocacy programmes in order to foster sustainable mountain development at all levels and recognize that sustainable mountain development is a key component in achieving the Millennium Development Goals in many regions of the world - Mountain Partnership]
Share this message! Kindly share this message with your networks and any interested organizations. Be sure to inform the Mountain Partnership Secretariat about any comments you have sent and do not hesitate to contact us for queries.
Next steps The First round of "informal-informal" negotiations (19-23 March) will be followed by the 3rd Intersessional Meeting of UN CSD, UN Secretariat on 26, 27 March 2012 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York . The Second round of "Informal-informal" negotiations will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 23 April through 4 May 2012.
Some background Draft resolution on Sustainable Mountain Development
Zero Draft of the Outcome Document (see Chapter V, paragraph 94 for Mountains) Official UNCSD
Rio+20 website
Mountain Partnership and Rio+20 The Mountain Partnership is a voluntary alliance of partners dedicated to improving the lives of mountain people and protecting mountain environments around the world. www.mountainpartnership.org
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