News

UN report on sustainable mountain development

05.10.2016

The United Nation Secretary-General (UNSG) has issued a report on sustainable mountain development (SMD) covering the last three years. Prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the Mountain Partnership Secretariat in collaboration with governments, UN agencies and other organizations, the report describes the status and progress made in promoting sustainable mountain development at national and international level since July 2013.

This edition, the first since the adoption of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, shows the efforts being made in the mountains and the ways they will contribute to reaching various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To achieve the SDGs and the targets relating to mountains as well as to poverty, hunger, sustainable agriculture, climate change and gender equality, there is a need to prioritize mountain areas by focusing on the specific challenges they face and the opportunities they provide, the report says.

The 20-page report documents experiences collected worldwide on concerns such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, land degradation, migration and urbanization, economies and livelihoods in mountain areas.

Additionally, several recommendations are provided to help ensure the economic, social and environmental sustainability in the mountains through international processes, sustainable mountain development, financial mechanisms, awareness-raising and research.

The Second Committee of the United Nations General Assembly will discuss issues related to SMD on 10-11 October.

Read the report in English, French, Spanish 

Photo: UN Photo/Kibae Park