About Rio +20

At the Earth Summit of 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, the world leaders committed to Sustainable development concept. Many different definitions exist for sustainable development, however, the Brundtland commission definition still remains as the most accepted one. In its 1987 report it defines sustainable development as 'development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’.

The importance of the world’s mountain regions has been internationally recognized since the Earth Summit; Agenda 21 adopted at the Earth Summit contains a chapter specifically devoted to mountains. Mountains constitute 25% of the Earth’s surface. Together with their peripheral areas, they provide a habitat for 26% of the world’s population and are the source of fresh water for almost half of humankind. Mountains are characterized by a high degree of biological and cultural diversity. Although they have great economic potential in many parts of the world – e.g. in terms of water resources and tourism – most mountain regions are politically and economically marginalized and isolated and mountain populations are at a clear disadvantage by comparison with other regions.

In concrete terms, sustainable development for mountainous regions means enabling mountain populations to earn a livelihood, providing protection against natural hazards, enhancing conservation and sustainable use of natural resource base, safeguarding social and cultural traditions, and supporting development that takes account of the special features of mountain regions and ensures that the interests of both mountain and lowland populations become equal parts of a fundamental social contract.

It has passed 20 years since then: the year of 2012 is a landmark year for humanity for reviewing their progress with adoption of this breakthrough approach to human development. It seeks to renew political commitment to sustainable development, to assess progress towards internationally agreed-upon sustainable development goals; and to address new and emerging challenges. In this context, mountains needs to be considered as crucial both for greening the world’s economy and implementing new institutional arrangements that will help achieve true global sustainable development for the sake of a better future on earth.

How much we all together as a global community have succeeded in practicing what has been preached? Who succeeded, and what where the factors of one’s success? How we failed and what were the lessons learned for all of us? Whether you would be willing to share these lessons with others, so the others could learn and avoid repeating the same mistakes? Answering to these questions will help all of us to get the review.

In order to get the global scale overview, what is needed first would be to understand the processes on ground: at all levels starting from villages and local communities to states.

For Central Asia being the one of the mountainous regions of the world, the challenge is doubled. For us, it is of immense interest and importance to assess our accomplishments and progress in addressing the mountain specificities throughout our development efforts.

With our purpose to contribute to this knowledge generation and exchange process, Eco-forum of Uzbekistan; CAMP Kuhiston of Tajikistan and AGOCA of Kyrgyzstan, with support from the Mountain Partnership Secretariat’s Hub for Central Asia hosted by University of Central Asia join our efforts for the regional Awareness raising project for sensitizing general public to the Rio+20 process.

Our initiative on improved information and awareness raising on mountain issues in context of Rio+20 has following objectives:
- To inform the readers and listeners from Central Asia on roles of mountains they play for sustainable development; issues that the mountain regions and communities face along with the solutions at international, regional, Central Asian and local levels and good practices of dealing with the challenges;
- To take stock of what has, and what has not, been achieved in implementing Agenda 21 in Central Asia;
- To collect the good practices and promote sharing them among the stakeholders;
- To identify and prioritize national and sub-regional concerns in line with two principle elements of Rio +20 meeting, namely, a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication and institutional framework for sustainable development;
- To build up the platform and forum for dialogue and exchange of ideas with generous contribution from international actors such as Mountain Partnership, ICIMOD and Swiss Development Cooperation Agency.

This project provides an opportunity not only to know more about the process of Rio + 20, but also directly participate in the discussion. He intends to become a platform and forum for dialogue and exchange of ideas with the whole Central Asian audience, ie you and us.

You can:
• Send an e-mail: ecomuz@inbox.ru, elbegzaya.batjargal@ucentralasia.org, umarova_i@mail.ru gulzada@camp.elcat.kg, roziya.alieva@swiss.tojikiston.com

• Visit our forum where you can ask questions, including interactive form, offer ideas and publications are available on the website: www.ca-dialogue.blogspot.com

Afterword
Much of what will be gained in the project will be reflected in publications, ideas, suggestions. It seems we all have a chance not only to admire the mountains, but also to help them. In the name of the foreseeable future.