|
International Partnership for Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions (Mountain Partnership)
[last updated April 8, 2009 1:33 PM]
Shortcuts:
|
 |
General Information
Partnership website(s) |
Expected TimeframeSeptember 2002 - Open Ended |
Partners
Governments:
|
Major Groups:
|
UN System:
|
Other intergovernmental organizations:
|
| Other:
|
Thematic Focus
Primary Themes:
|
Secondary Themes:
|
Geographic Coverage
Geographic Scope: Global
Country(ies) where the partnership is being implemented: Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tajikistan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Yemen |
National Focal Points
This partnership has made contact with the national focal points for sustainable development in the countries involved
|
Goals and Objectives
Summary of the partnership's goals and objectives
The Mountain Partnership is a voluntary alliance of partners dedicated to improving the well-being, livelihoods and opportunities of mountain people and the protection and stewardship of mountain environments around the world. The Mountain Partnership taps the wealth and diversity of resources, knowledge, skills and expertise of its members to support positive change in mountain areas. The Partnership was launched as a type-2 outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2002: the basic concept and guiding principles of the Mountain Partnership resulted from a consultative process that took place during the preparatory sessions of the WSSD with its core document (known as the Bali Document) finalized at the Fourth Session of the Preparatory Committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Bali, Indonesia, 27 May - 7June 2002). Commitment to the Mountain Partnership has increased rapidly at the country, regional and international levels and concrete action is now underway to improve the lives of mountain people and protect mountain environments around the world. By March 2009, 50 countries, 16 intergovernmental organizations and 96 major group organizations (e.g. civil society, NGOs, private sector) had already joined the Mountain Partnership. A Mountain Partnership Secretariat, with financial support from the governments of Italy and Switzerland, is hosted at the central level by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Decentralized hubs of the secretariat have also been established in Latin America (hosted by CONDESAN), Asia Pacific (hosted by ICIMOD) and North America (hosted by the Banff Centre) and an Environmental Reference Centre is hosted by UNEP to provide guidance and support on environmental issues related to the Mountain Partnership.
The Mountain Partnership facilitates the effective and efficient implementation of Chapter 13, Agenda 21 and promotes, inter alia, joint initiatives based on paragraph 42 of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and other related instruments regarding mountains, by enhancing on-the-ground action and by working at the policy, programme and project levels. Specific partnership initiatives have been identified by members and are focussing on priority areas of action, such as biodiversity, education, gender, policy and law, research, sustainable livelihoods, sustainable agriculture and rural development in mountains (SARD-M) and watershed management. Additionally, geographically-focussed Initiatives have been launched and are operational in the Andes, Central Asia, Europe, the Hindu Kush Himalaya and other regions. New initiatives are developed as new priority areas are identified by members. Linkages between partnership initiatives are being encouraged at the local, national, regional and global levels, with members entering into specific initiatives according to their priorities, needs and capacities.
The Mountain Partnership facilitates the effective and efficient implementation of Chapter 13, Agenda 21 and promotes, inter alia, joint initiatives based on paragraph 42 of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and other related instruments regarding mountains, by enhancing on-the-ground action and by working at the policy, programme and project levels. Specific partnership initiatives have been identified by members and are focussing on priority areas of action, such as biodiversity, education, gender, policy and law, research, sustainable livelihoods, sustainable agriculture and rural development in mountains (SARD-M) and watershed management. Additionally, geographically-focussed Initiatives have been launched and are operational in the Andes, Central Asia, Europe, the Hindu Kush Himalaya and other regions. New initiatives are developed as new priority areas are identified by members. Linkages between partnership initiatives are being encouraged at the local, national, regional and global levels, with members entering into specific initiatives according to their priorities, needs and capacities.
Targets and Progress
Partnership targetsThe Mountain Partnership is conceived as an umbrella alliance under which all partners can enter into specific partnership initiatives according to their interest, needs and concerns. The core of the Mountain Partnership is concrete action on the ground, the so-called Initiatives (areas of focus) which are organized around thematic areas, geographic regions, or institutional concerns.
Specific targets, workplans, programmes and projects are determined by relevant stakeholders as partnership initiatives develop. |
Progress against targetsMembership of the Mountain Partnership has grown steadily from approximately 40 members at its launch at WSSD in September 2002 to 162 members as of March 2009. Specific thematic initiatives have been launched and are operational on biodiversity, education, gender, policy and law, research, sustainable livelihoods, sustainable agriculture and rural development in mountains (SARD-M), and watershed management. Additionally, geographically-focussed Initiatives are working in the Andes, Central Asia, Europe and the Hindu Kush Himalaya. Additional recent areas of focus are: climate change, local governance, mountain products and biodiversity. The Mountain Partnership members have adopted three key documents to provide a solid and dynamic framework for collaborative activities: the "Organization, Membership and Governance of the Mountain Partnership"; the "Cusco Framework for Action" and the Declaration of the Andes, all of which were adopted by members at the Second Global Meeting of the Mountain Partnership (Cusco, Peru, 28-29 October 2004).
Much focus is on decentralized cooperation. Given the importance of mountain-specific policies and laws for attaining sustainable mountain development, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat is working with members to promote greater, more focused engagement of European local authorities in exchange and cooperation activities with local authorities in developing countries. The Secretariat encourages information flow, knowledge sharing and brokerage between its members and their initiatives. In the period leading to CSD17, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat has expanded the outreach of its monthly e-newsletter, "Peak to Peak"(over 600 current subscribers in 5 regions) in the Partnership and beyond, as well as refining the Mountain Partnership Website (all available in English, French and Spanish). In particular, the Web site includes databases on members and their Partnership Initiatives; a country profile system; a funding database and resources to assist members identify sources of funding; and an on-line discussion area for members to exchange experiences and good practices, identify common areas of collaboration and build communities of practice. |
Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
- Human resources development/training
- Education/building awareness
- Institutional strengthening, including local participation
- Technology transfer/exchange
Specific arrangements for capacity building (through training, education, awareness raising, institutional strengthening, etc.) and technology transfer and exchange are being identified and determined by members for specific Partnership Initiatives which are developing under the umbrella alliance of the Mountain Partnership. In general the Mountain Partnership serves as a mechanism for networking, knowledge, communication and information sharing and exchange and functions as a clearing house for members. It also complements, supports and strengthens on-going initiatives in sustainable mountain development. The Mountain Partnership aims to function as a broker for joint activities, facilitating contacts between countries and institutions in view of collaborative activities and creating conditions for technical cooperation and resource mobilization at the national, regional and global levels. The Mountain Partnership is also forging linkages with existing multilateral instruments such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL) and mountain-related regional instruments such as the Alpine Convention and the Carpathian Convention. Sub-regional mountain cooperation in the framework of the Mountain Partnership was furthered on 8 November 2006 when a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Alpine Convention and the Carpathian Convention was signed by participating Secretariats and Presidencies at an informal ministerial meeting of mountain regions (9th Alpine Conference, Alpbach, Austria, 6-9 November 2006). In addition, the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Carpathian Convention -COP1 (11-13 December 2006, Kyiv, Ukraine) adopted the Carpathian Declaration, which notes its appreciation of the Mountain Partnership as an important platform for cooperation and experience-sharing between mountain regions of the world.
Relationship to International Agreements on Sustainable Development
How the partnership contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
The Mountain Partnership promotes the implementation of Chapter 13 of Agenda 21 and the negotiated outcome document of WSSD, taking into account the growing involvement of global actors such as civil society, including private sector, NGOs and the academic and research community. The Mountain Partnership represents a type-two outcome of WSSD, acting as an umbrella alliance for specific regional and thematic Partnership Initiatives.
Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
International cooperation to accelerate sustainable development in developing countries and related domestic policies; Combating poverty; Integrating environment and development in decision-making; Managing fragile ecosystems: sustainable mountain development; Financial resources and mechanisms; Transfer of environmentally sound technology, cooperation and capacity-building; Science for sustainable development; Promoting education, public awareness and training; National mechanisms and international cooperation for capacity-building in developing countries; International institutional arrangements; International legal instruments and mechanisms; Information for decision-making
Relevant Sections of the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 Integration of economic, social and environmental objectives; Sectors and issues; Means of implementation
Relevant Sections of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation Protection and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development ; Means of implementation ; Strengthening the institutional framework for sustainable development at the international level; Role of international institutions; Strengthening institutional arrangement for sustainable development at the regional level; Strengthening institutional frameworks for sustainable development at the national level; Participation of major groups
Coordination and Implementation
Coordination Mechanism of the PartnershipThe Mountain Partnership consists of its Members, its defined Governance mechanism and its Secretariat. The structure of the Mountain Partnership is non-hierarchical and decentralized. This structure allows equal participation and optimal connectivity between members. Within the structure, Partnership Initiatives are developed and implemented by the members concerned.
The governance of the Mountain Partnership is based on the principles of democratic participation of all members, accountability, responsiveness, consensus, transparency and flexibility. |
Implementation Mechanism of the PartnershipThe Mountain Partnership Secretariat was formally established in June 2005 as a long-term mechanism to support and service members of the Mountain Partnership. This follows a 2-year period during which an interim arrangement was in place to service the membership during the start-up phase following the launch of the Mountain Partnership in 2002.The Mountain Partnership Secretariat helps to link existing activities in mountain development and foster synergies and complementarities to promote closer collaboration, avoid duplication and achieve greater coherence and better results in terms of sustainable development. It will however not coordinate the actions of the members nor assign specific tasks and responsibilities to members.
The Secretariat is responsible for regular reporting on the status and activities of the Mountain Partnership to the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), and other relevant bodies, as appropriate. The Mountain Partnership Secretariat is hosted at the central level by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which provides overall guidance and coordination. Decentralized hubs of the Secretariat were established in 2008 in Latin America (hosted by CONDESAN), Asia Pacific (hosted by ICIMOD) and North America (hosted by the Banff Centre) and an Environmental Reference Centre is hosted by UNEP to provide guidance and support on environmental issues related to the Mountain Partnership. The main tasks of the Secretariat are to provide communication services, knowledge management and brokering functions, and to act as networking point and liaison office for partners. It also provides members with information about the availability of funds and financial mechanisms for mountain activities. |
Resources
Funding Currently AvailableAmount in US$: no further data available 7/11/07
Source(s): Government
Government of Switzerland (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation) Government of Italy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Italian Cooperation) The governments of Switzerland and Italy have provided an annual contribution of approximately $500,000 each to fund the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, hosted at FAO. This level of funding is expected to continue. The Government of France provided $350,000 over two years (2005-2007) to fund a project to promote quality mountain products under the Sustainable Livelihoods Initiative of the Mountain Partnership. |
Non-financial resources availableType(s): Computers - Office space - Staff
Source(s): IGO - NGO
Host institutions of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat are providing office space, computers, telephone/fax communications and staff time to the Secretariat. The Mountain Forum, as a collaborating partner, is also providing some in-kind support to Secretariat tasks and delivery of services. |
Funding SoughtRequired Amount in US$: not specified
Source(s) already approached: The Mountain Partnership Secretariat will assist members in identifying funding sources (bi-lateral donors, foundations, private sector, etc.) for specific activities developed in the context of thematic and regional Partnership Initiatives. Fund-raising will be carried out in a decentralized manner, with members of the Mountain Partnership having the responsibility for mobilizing funds for their specific activities within the defined Partnership Initiatives.
|
Non-financial resources soughtRequirement(s): Other
Seconded staff to Secretariat, from Governments, UN agencies, NGOs, etc. In-kind support to specific activities, projects and programmes defined under Partnership Initiatives and special areas of activity. Source(s) approached and details:
|
Additional Information
Additional Relevant Information
- Various types of communications and information exchange mechanisms, including both electronic means (e.g. e-consultations, e-newsletters, websites, data bases and collaborative workspaces) as well as face-to-face meetings, have proven to be key in fostering networking and building alliances within the partnership and mobilizing action by members in the various phases of partnership development.
- The designation of focal points by member organizations and governments has shown to be a critical factor in determining the degree and nature of involvement in partnership activities. In certain cases, designated focal points have not been very active due to lack of time and/or experience and expertise in specific technical issues. This applies mainly to countries rather than Major Group organizations. Some countries have designated the same person to be the focal point to several WSSD partnerships simultaneously, thereby limiting their degree of involvement in any one partnership. In such cases, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat is attempting to facilitate the identification of alternative or secondary focal points, to allow a more active role.
- Since the launch of the Mountain Partnership in 2002 there have been two global meetings of the entire membership. These have been important opportunities to build consensus and foster exchange and interaction, but have required significant financial resources and organizational effort to plan and implement. Such events should be limited to not more than once every two years.
- the Mountain Partnership continues to receive visibility and support in regional and international processes (e.g. Carpathian Convention, Alpine Convention, Convention on Biological Diversity, etc.), CSD reporting, and UNGA reports and resolutions on sustainable mountain development (60th and 62nd sessions).
- The development and implementation of multi-stakeholder partnerships is not an exact science. The Mountain Partnership Secretariat continues to benefit greatly from sharing experiences with other CSD partnerships (e.g. via the CSD Partnerships Fair) and learning from other Partnership models.
- The designation of focal points by member organizations and governments has shown to be a critical factor in determining the degree and nature of involvement in partnership activities. In certain cases, designated focal points have not been very active due to lack of time and/or experience and expertise in specific technical issues. This applies mainly to countries rather than Major Group organizations. Some countries have designated the same person to be the focal point to several WSSD partnerships simultaneously, thereby limiting their degree of involvement in any one partnership. In such cases, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat is attempting to facilitate the identification of alternative or secondary focal points, to allow a more active role.
- Since the launch of the Mountain Partnership in 2002 there have been two global meetings of the entire membership. These have been important opportunities to build consensus and foster exchange and interaction, but have required significant financial resources and organizational effort to plan and implement. Such events should be limited to not more than once every two years.
- the Mountain Partnership continues to receive visibility and support in regional and international processes (e.g. Carpathian Convention, Alpine Convention, Convention on Biological Diversity, etc.), CSD reporting, and UNGA reports and resolutions on sustainable mountain development (60th and 62nd sessions).
- The development and implementation of multi-stakeholder partnerships is not an exact science. The Mountain Partnership Secretariat continues to benefit greatly from sharing experiences with other CSD partnerships (e.g. via the CSD Partnerships Fair) and learning from other Partnership models.