114 STATE OF THE WORLD'S FORESTS 2001 International initiatives related to mountains gaps in knowledge and corresponding research and mountain forests needs, thus providing a framework for future Mountain communities and ecosystems have search initiatives on mountain forests(Price received increasing attention in recent years, and Butt, 2000). Published in 2000. it largely owing to ongoing efforts to implement culminates two years of work by a task force Chapter 13(Managing fragile ecosystems set up by the International Union of Forestry sustainable mountain development) of UNCED's Research Organizations (UFRO) and consisting Agenda 21. Recent major initiatives related to of researchers from around the world. mountains in general, and to mountain forests in Mountains of the World: Mountain Forests and articular, inchude the following: Sustainable Development. This publication, International Year of mountains. At its 53rd which was presented at the eighth session of session in november 1998 the un general CSD in April/May 2000, addresses the causes and consequences of deforestation in of mountain communities and ecosystems by mountain regions and presents promising proclaiming 2002 the International Year of forest protection and sustainable management Mountains (TyM). The lym is meant to be a measures( Centre for Development and pringboard from which to launch or reinforce Environment, 2000) long-term and sustained mountain Electronic Conference on Mountain People, Forests development and conservation efforts. FAO and Trees: Strategies for Balancing Managemen as the designated lead agency for the event, and Outside interests. This five-week electronic maintains a Web site that provides conference, hosted by the Mountain Forum information on national, regional and network in 1999, highlighted major issues, international preparations for the observance documented examples of successful of the International Year of mountains community-based management of mountain Tropical Montane Cloud Forest Initiative. This forests and trees around the world and made initiative was launched in February 1999 to recommendations for action ( Mountain support the conservation of tropical montane Forum/The Mountain Institute, 2000) forests. one of the worlds most threatened forest ecosystems. The Tropical Montane NATIONAL-LEVEL EFFORTS TO Cloud Forest(TMCf) Initiative is a SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE FOREST partnership between the United Nations MANAGEMENT Environment Programme(UNEP), the World National forest programmes Conservation Monitoring Centre, the World Most countries are now carrying out activities Wide Fund for Nature(WWF), IUCN and the related to the formulation and implementation of International Hydrological Programme of the a national forest programme, a process that United Nations Educational, Scientific and started about 15 years ago in many countries. A Cultural Organization. It provides information, national forest programme refers to an iterative networking and promotes new forest sector planning process. The process commitments and activities by organizations involves the development of a comprehensive around the world that are working to forest policy framework that is consistent with a conserve these forests country's socio-economic cultural, political and This state-of-knowledge report identifies major programmes for sustainable land use and involves the participation of stakeholders. The IPF proposals for action emphasized the need for all 1www.mountains2002.org countries, developed and developing, to elaborat114 STATE OF THE WORLD’S FORESTS 2001 International initiatives related to mountains and mountain forests Mountain communities and ecosystems have received increasing attention in recent years, largely owing to ongoing efforts to implement Chapter 13 (Managing fragile ecosystems: sustainable mountain development) of UNCED’s Agenda 21. Recent major initiatives related to mountains in general, and to mountain forests in particular, include the following: • International Year of Mountains. At its 53rd session in November 1998, the UN General Assembly formally recognized the importance of mountain communities and ecosystems by proclaiming 2002 the International Year of Mountains (IYM). The IYM is meant to be a springboard from which to launch or reinforce long-term and sustained mountain development and conservation efforts. FAO, as the designated lead agency for the event, maintains a Web site14 that provides information on national, regional and international preparations for the observance of the International Year of Mountains. • Tropical Montane Cloud Forest Initiative. This initiative was launched in February 1999 to support the conservation of tropical montane forests, one of the world’s most threatened forest ecosystems. The Tropical Montane Cloud Forest (TMCF) Initiative is a partnership between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), IUCN and the International Hydrological Programme of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It provides information, encourages networking and promotes new commitments and activities by organizations around the world that are working to conserve these forests. • Forests in Sustainable Mountain Development. This state-of-knowledge report identifies major gaps in knowledge and corresponding research needs, thus providing a framework for future research initiatives on mountain forests (Price and Butt, 2000). Published in 2000, it culminates two years of work by a task force set up by the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO) and consisting of researchers from around the world. • Mountains of the World: Mountain Forests and Sustainable Development. This publication, which was presented at the eighth session of CSD in April/May 2000, addresses the causes and consequences of deforestation in mountain regions and presents promising forest protection and sustainable management measures (Centre for Development and Environment, 2000). • Electronic Conference on Mountain People, Forests and Trees: Strategies for Balancing Management and Outside Interests. This five-week electronic conference, hosted by the Mountain Forum network in 1999, highlighted major issues, documented examples of successful community-based management of mountain forests and trees around the world and made recommendations for action (Mountain Forum/The Mountain Institute, 2000). NATIONAL-LEVEL EFFORTS TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT National forest programmes Most countries are now carrying out activities related to the formulation and implementation of a national forest programme, a process that started about 15 years ago in many countries. A national forest programme refers to an iterative forest sector planning process. The process involves the development of a comprehensive forest policy framework that is consistent with a country’s socio-economic, cultural, political and environmental conditions, is integrated into wider programmes for sustainable land use and involves the participation of stakeholders. The IPF proposals for action emphasized the need for all countries, developed and developing, to elaborate, 14 www.mountains2002.org