I wish to thank all the participants, particularly the contributors, for enriching the e-conference on the very relevant topic of 'Renewable Energy Technologies for Mountain Areas of the Asia/Pacific region.' I also want to thank the moderators for finding time amidst their busy schedules to moderate the e-conference, and doing an excellent job of it. The knowledge and experiences shared on the various weekly themes - microhydro, solar, biomass, and policies - are pertinent, in one way or another, to all mountain regions of the world, not just Asia/Pacific.

In order to compile a diversity of voices from all walks of life on some topic, the APMN/ICIMOD periodically organizes an e-conference. The organizers of this e-conference tell me that about 950 people were 'present' at this e-conference - many passive - but a handful were very active, and this made all the difference.

The APMN/ICIMOD next intends to bring out the synthesis report of the e-conference, in hardcopy, for dissemination to the active contributors at this e-conference, the APMN members, policymakers, and decision-making bodies in the governments of mountain countries in the region in order to speed up policy evolution and provide guidelines for promotion of RETs in mountain areas. The report will be a value-added tool for teachers in schools/colleges, for media professionals, for activists who espouse 'appropriate technologies', and also for community trainers. When the finalized synthesis report is ready, it will be made available on the World Wide Web, and the same will also be disseminated widely as an e-mail attachment.

I want to add that that there are still lots of unresolved issues in the field of RETs - as became evident from this e-conference. Every unresolved question/issue is a stark reminder to us as to how much homework we still have to do on our end before we can even begin to think about changing mountain people's lives for the better - our ultimate goal. I believe that although the e-conference has ended, many of you will continue to give serious thoughts to the issues/questions that were raised but not addressed.

Last but not least, I want to once again thank one and all for making this a very fruitful e-conference. You must all be tired and worn-out by now. Do not worry. Christmas and New Year are just around the corner to recharge you.

Here wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

Sincerely yours,

Milan Raj Tuladhar
Acting Director General, 
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)