Experts and practitioners from across the globe are descending on Kunming, China from April 16 – 18 for what’s set to be a landmark event for the sustainable development of mountain regions. The Third Mountain Futures Conference will be an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences and develop strategies for a more sustainable future.
“Mountain Futures is not an idea derived from mountain regions but from people’s hearts and minds living outside the mountains,” said Xu Jianchu, Director of the Mountain Futures Centre and a scientist at CIFOR-ICRAF. “Our conference will bring together novel ideas and innovations from leading experts around the world to target mutually beneficial sustainable development of mountain areas. We hope to lay out future scenarios that will lead to empowerment by design for the communities that call mountain regions home.”
The conference will take place at the Kunming World Expo Horti-Garden’s conference centre and will feature a range of plenary and parallel sessions, workshops, and exhibitions, to showcase innovations and initiatives in sustainable development.
A range of partners is hosting the event, including the Centre for Mountain Futures (CMF), the Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Secretariat of United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR).
The conference aims to set out a “Roadmap for Mountain Futures” to guide policymakers and influence future legislation relating to the development of the world’s mountain regions while also highlighting the importance of these precious areas.
Xu hopes that “the relationships and partnerships forged during the event will lead to positive change for rural communities in mountain areas.”
Scientific exploration will be a key area of focus for the conference, which will feature discussions on the latest research and technologies in areas such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, sustainable energy, environmental protection and agricultural techniques.
Another important theme will be ecological restoration. With ecosystems worldwide facing unprecedented threats, the conference will provide a platform for experts to discuss and showcase innovative approaches to restoring and conserving ecosystems, including forest and wetland restoration and strategies for addressing issues such as land degradation and desertification.
Indigenous wisdom will also be a key area of discussion for the conference. Indigenous Peoples have long-standing traditions and knowledge systems that can provide valuable insights into sustainable development. The conference will provide an opportunity for them to share their experiences and knowledge, and for experts to learn from them and incorporate their perspectives into sustainable development strategies.
Participants will also look at future living, with presentations and discussions on green technologies, environmental education, coexisting with wildlife and innovations in textile production and sustainable agriculture.
Find more information about the Third Mountains Futures Conference and other related content on the Mountain Futures website.
Media contact:
Azzura Lalani
Global Head of Outreach and Engagement CIFOR-ICRAF
a.lalani@cifor-icraf.org
