A/RES/58/216 takes note of the recommendations of the Thimpu Declaration adopted at the Celebrating Mountain Women conference, held at Thimpu from 1 to 4 October 2002; 7. Notes the entry into force of the nine Protocols to the Convention on the Protection of the Alps as a contribution to regional cooperation for sustainable development in that mountain region; Notes also the adoption and signing of the Framework Convention on the 8. Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians by the countries of the region; Notes further that a consultative process has been conducted with all 9. Mountain Partnership stakeholders, in particular donor countries, with a view to determining the best options for further assisting all stakeholders in the implementation of the Partnership; 10. Takes note of the conclusions of the first global meeting of the members of the Mountain Partnership, held in Merano, Italy, on 5 and 6 October 2003, 5 at the invitation of the Government of Italy; 11. Notes that the next global meeting of the members of the Mountain Partnership will be organized during the second half of 2004, and welcomes in this context the offer of the Government of Peru to host the meeting; 12. Also notes in this context that the Mountain Partnership is a cooperation mechanism that is dynamic, transparent, flexible and participatory in nature and that it is open to all Governments, including local and regional authorities, as well as to intergovernmental, non-governmental and other organizations whose objectives and activities are consistent with the vision and mission of the Partnership; 13. Further notes that Mountain Partnership members committed themselves to implement the Partnership in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 2003/61 of 25 July 2003, and calls upon them to comply with the criteria and guidelines agreed in the decision taken by the Commission on Sustainable Development at its eleventh session; 6 14. Invites the international community and other relevant partners to consider joining the Mountain Partnership; 15. Encourages all relevant entities of the United Nations system, within their respective mandates, to continue their constructive collaboration in the context of the follow-up to the Year, taking into account the inter-agency group on mountains and the need for the further involvement of the United Nations system, in particular the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations University, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund, international financial institutions and other relevant international organizations, taking into account the recommendations formulated in the Bishkek Mountain Platform;3 16. Encourages Governments, the United Nations system, the international financial institutions, the Global Environment Facility and other relevant United Nations funding mechanisms, such as the Global Mechanism of the United Nations _______________ 5 A/C.2/58/8, annex. See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2003, Supplement No. 9 (E/2003/29), chap. I, sect. A. 6 3