News

Publication Launch - Highlands and drylands: Mountains, a source of resilience in arid regions

11.10.2011

During the tenth session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP10) - scheduled to convene from 10 to 21 October in Changwon City, Gyeongnam Province, Republic of Korea - an event will be held to launch a new publication entitled "Highlands and Drylands: Mountains, a source of resilience in arid regions" published by FAO, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, UNCCD, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern (CDE), with the support of an international group of experts. The publication launch event will take place in the Main Committee Room (Plenary of the High-level Meetings) on Monday, 17 October from 13:30 to 15:00. The event will be opened by Mr Luc Gnacadja -Executive Secretary, UNCCD. The other speakers include Nora Berrahmouni (FAO), Sergio Zelaya (UNCCD), Hanspeter Liniger (CDE/WOCAT), and Thomas Schaaf (UNESCO) as well as several other High-level Ministers and NGO/CSO representatives. Dryland Mountains are of great strategic value to regional and global development. They provide 90% of the freshwater supply to surrounding dry lowlands. More than a quarter of the world’s biodiversity hotspots and six out of eight Vavilov Centres of Diversity are found in Dryland Mountains. Yet these mountain regions are under increasing threat to climate change and unsustainable forms of land use, including mining and tourism. The UNCCD and the Mountain Partnership both provide important frameworks to mobilize governments, international agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders for greater attention and support. This publication presents the socio-economy and environment of Dryland Mountains, the current threats they face, and good practices in sustainable development. In concludes with key messages for policy- and decision-makers.