At the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Agenda 21, a “blueprint for sustainable development” was established and signed. Chapter 13, “Managing Fragile Ecosystems: Sustainable Mountain Development” included as its mandate the generation and strengthening of knowledge about the ecology and sustainable development of mountain ecosystems. During the 30 years since the creation of Chapter 13, significant progress and improvements have been made in mountain biodiversity conservation, cultural conservation, education, scientific research methods, tourism development, and art. Under the banner of “Science for Sustainable Mountain Development,” the purpose of the Second International Conference on Sustainable Mountain Development is to explore and celebrate each of these sectors from the perspective of globally renowned professionals and practitioners from the physical and social sciences, education, development, art, filmmaking, tourism, and conservation. This year’s venue will be the beautiful mountain city of Pokhara, central Nepal.
Conveners
Teiji Watanabe
Dhananjay Regmi
Alton C. Byers