On 29th August 2016, during the press briefing held at Uganda Media Centre, the Uganda State Minister for Environment, Hon. Mary Kitutu expressed her optimism towards the expected outcomes of the forthcoming third World Mountain Forum (WMF 2016). She said that the government of Uganda is optimistic that WMF 2016 outcomes will inform the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and guide related interventions in mountain areas at local, national and international levels. She added that the WMF 2016 is expected to offer an opportunity for mountain countries to discuss how to effectively implement decisions from the climate change negotiations and the post-2015 agenda. The third World Mountain Forum will take place on the 17-20 October 2016 in Mbale in Eastern Uganda at Mbale Resort Hotel. WMF 2016 will bring together over 300 stakeholders around the world and different High-level dignitaries are expected; for instance, H.E. Thomas Gass the Assistant Secretary General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), and His Holiness Kyabgon Chetsang from India. She said that the President of the Republic of Uganda is also expected to officiate at the opening of the Forum. She finally called upon media, all Ugandan citizens, East African countries, all African countries, and the whole world to promote conservation and sustainable use of mountain ecosystems and highland wetlands for a better future for the mountain communities and humanity at large. The Director of Environmental Affairs at the Ministry of Water and Environment and the Executive Director of ARCOS, Mr. Paul Mafabi and Dr. Sam Kanyamibwa respectively; called upon all organisations, companies and mountain community groups and associations to participate in the form through exhibitions. WMF 2016 is being jointly organised by the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Water and Environment and the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS) with financial and technical contribution from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and a number of partners. The WMF 2016 is an outstanding platform for sharing lessons and experiences on past Sustainable Mountain Development (SMD) activities, and for discussing challenges and future opportunities for Sustainable Mountain Development. Mountains host about 25% of terrestrial biodiversity and attract about 15-20% of global tourism hence hosting rare bird species and endemic mammals. They also provide goods and services as well as providing fertile soils that contribute hugely to food security. Despite all the above, mountains harbour the world’s poorest and hungriest people with no basic development infrastructure and lack of basic social services. It is upon this background therefore that the government of Uganda seeks to conserve these lands and guarantee livelihoods of the communities. It is obvious that sustainable management of mountain ecosystems is key to achieving different sustainable development goals and also key for the future of humanity.
During the celebration of the International Mountain Day at Paris, 11 December, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) concludes a series of Mountain Adaptation Outlooks. By promoting policies in favour of ecosystem-based adaptation in mountain regions,
To mark World Environment Day 2016, The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has launched the ICT for Mountain Development Award 2016. This award which is being issued for its third consecutive year recognizes innovations
Countries of the Hindu-Kush-Himalayan region have now started pondering about the creation of the Himalayan council. This idea was discussed during a Knowledge Forum on Climate-Resilient Development jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture an
Indigenous and traditional peoples living in mountains are known to sustain important traditional knowledge and a diversity of resilient genetic resources that are adapted to mountain conditions. As an example, mountain farmers have explicitly design
In the afternoon of 17th October 2016, the World Mountain Forum 2016 kicked off at Mbale Resort Hotel, in Uganda. The Forum started with a Special Africa Mountain Event where different Sustainable Mountain Development (SMD) actors presented updates o
More than 250 delegates from around the world gathered in Uganda at Mbale Resort Hotel, from 17th to 20th October 2016, for the World Mountain Forum 2016. This forum served as a platform to share information and discuss the challenges and future oppo
In a refreshing side event to the WMF 2016, UNEP and partners presented the preliminary findings of the Waste Management Outlook (WMO) for mountain regions, a publication that will be launched on this year’s World Mountain Day (11 December 2016).
During the closing ceremony of the World Mountain Forum 2016 that was held in Mbale, Uganda on 17-20 October 2016, His Excellence Edward Ssekandi, the Vice-President of Uganda launched the Uganda Sustainable Mountain Development Strategy. The s
