Rio+20: ICIMOD events at UNCSD
ICIMOD sees Rio+20 as an important chance to redefine the mountain agenda considering new challenges that have evolved over the last two decades. ICIMOD is working with key institutions worldwide to make sure that the issues of mountainous countries and regions are clear and are noticed by UNCSD and other global processes. ICIMOD attends UNCSD as a recognized intergovernmental organization.
To this end, a strong ICIMOD delegation of senior programme staff led by the Director General, Dr David Molden, will be organizing, co-hosting, participating in, and supporting a series of side events in and around the conference.
We are pleased to invite you to attend the following events outlined below. For more details, please visit our website atwww.icimod.org/rio20.
Should you have any queries, you can contact Dr Madhav Karki mkarki@icimod.org or Mr Tek Jung Mahat tmahat@icimod.org.
Date: Monday, 18 June
Time: 9:30-11:00
Venue: RioCentro, Room: P3-A
This side event aims to contribute to the ‘The Future We Want’ outcome document by highlighting the need to better manage mountain natural resources as global public goods supplying water for life, food for health, and clean energy for livelihoods. The event will focus on sharing research-based knowledge on such topics as conservation of fresh water resources and critical biodiversity, maintenance of gene pools, and protection of forest, wetland, and rangeland ecosystems. Particular attention will be given to strategies and action proposals for enhancing people’s livelihoods and wellbeing.
Global Youth Forum on Mountain Issues and Sustainable Actions
Date: Friday, 15 June
Time: 11:00-13:00
Venue: Mountain Pavilion
ICIMOD launched the Youth for Sustainable Mountain Development (Y4SMD) Initiative in 2009 aiming to mainstream youth in mountain development processes. The initiative has organized youth forums on different themes at national and regional levels, and has resulted in a dedicated youth network with a membership base of over 2,000. Now, for the first time, ICIMOD is joining hands with its development partners to organize a global event dedicated to mountain youth. The event aims to issue an appeal to the Rio+20 delegates on behalf of mountain youth groups.
Role of Mountains in Promoting Green Growth Strategies and Making Development Sustainable
Date: Tuesday, 19 June
Time: 11:00-13:00
Venue: Mountain Pavilion
Mountain ecosystems, with their rich biodiversity, provide critical goods and services that are essential for sustaining the local, regional, and global environment and economy. Economic growth and sustainability in the lowlands rely in large part, directly or indirectly, on environmental resources and services from mountains. However, mountain communities do not receive the full benefits from the goods and services they provide to society at large. This side event will provide examples from different mountain regions of the world to showcase successful ways to facilitate green economy in the mountains, create more sustainable livelihoods, and reduce poverty.
Women at the Frontline of Sustainable Mountain Development
Date: Friday, 22 June
Time: 11:00-13:00
Venue: Mountain Pavilion
Mountain women have valuable knowledge and experience in adapting to multiple drivers of change including climate change, globalization, economic policies, out-migration, and land use change in mountain contexts. People in the mountains, particularly women, experience these changes differently and disproportionately because of socially constructed gender relations and the environmental fragility of mountain contexts. This event provides an opportunity to share the voices and experiences of normally excluded but critically important actors of sustainable mountain development.
ICIMOD exhibition booth and information marketplace at the Mountain Pavilion
Dates: 13 - 24 June
Time: 11:00-18:00
ICIMOD is taking the lead for the Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity theme in the Mountain Pavilion organized by the Government of Peru, where we will highlight mountain issues and opportunities from the Himalayas. There will be videos, presentations and slide shows, posters, an exhibition, and an array of mountain products to highlight the many different aspects and values of biodiversity and the services we derive from it.