A/RES/68/217
Sustainable mountain development
and environmental degradation are still high, and access to safe and affordable
drinking water and basic sanitation as well as to sustainable modern energy services
continues to be limited,
Noting the International Partnership for Sustainable Development in Mountain
Regions (Mountain Partnership), launched during the World Summit on Sustainable
Development, with benefits from the committed support of 52 countries, 1
intergovernmental organization and 15 organizations from major groups, as an
important multi-stakeholder approach to addressing the various interrelated
dimensions of sustainable development in mountain regions,
1.
Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General; 4
2.
Encourages States to adopt a long-term vision and holistic approaches,
including through incorporating mountain-specific policies into national sustainable
development strategies, which could include poverty reduction plans and
programmes for mountain areas, as appropriate;
3.
Encourages greater efforts by States, all stakeholders and the
international community towards the conservation of mountain ecosystems and the
enhancement of the well-being of their local populations, taking into account the
extent of the current challenges they face and bearing in mind the increased
economic, social and environmental costs that inaction might represent for countries
and societies;
4.
Expresses its deep concern at the number and scale of natural disasters
and their increasing impact in recent years, which have resulted in massive loss of
life and long-term negative social, economic and environmental consequences for
societies throughout the world, recognizing the special vulnerability of people living
in usually remote mountain environments, especially those in developing countries,
and encourages the international community to take further steps to support national
and regional efforts to ensure the sustainable development of mountains;
5.
Stresses the special vulnerability of people living in usually remote
mountain environments, often with limited access to health, education and economic
systems and particularly at risk because of the negative impact of extreme natural
phenomena, and invites States to strengthen cooperative action, with the effective
involvement and sharing of experience of all relevant stakeholders, by strengthening
existing arrangements, agreements and centres of excellence for sustainable
mountain development, as well as exploring new arrangements and agreements, as
appropriate;
6.
Encourages States to develop and improve disaster risk management and
resilience strategies in mountain regions, including a forward-looking perspective,
to cope with such extreme events as rockfalls, avalanches, glacial lake outburst
floods and landslides, which can be exacerbated by climate change and
deforestation;
7.
Recognizes that mountains provide sensitive indications of climate
change through phenomena such as modifications of biological diversity, the retreat
of mountain glaciers and changes in seasonal runoff that are having an impact on
major sources of freshwater in the world, and stresses the need to undertake actions
to minimize the negative effects of these phenomena and promote adaptation
measures;
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4
2/4
A/68/307.