Kunming, April 4 (ZXS) -- The Third International Conference on the Future of Mountains opened in Kunming, Yunnan Province on 16 April. Scientists, government officials and community representatives from 16 countries gathered together to implement and promote the innovative actions of biodiversity conservation and rural revitalization in mountainous communities under the "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework".
"Fifty per cent of the planet's people depend on mountains for water, energy and other ecosystem services. However, over the past 50 years, mountain people have remained widespread poverty, local knowledge has been lost, and most of the world's mountain areas are experiencing environmental and cultural degradation. Elizabeth Murema, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, believes that mountain culture is inextricably linked to biodiversity; Community development and rural-urban partnerships have a positive impact on poverty reduction in mountain regions; The innovation and practice of mountain knowledge effectively protects the cultural and biodiversity of mountain areas.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said climate change, land pollution and overexploitation have led to the loss of mountain biodiversity, threatening people's livelihoods and lifestyles. He called on countries to halt and reverse the trend of mountain degradation, propose mutually beneficial solutions, and strengthen the resilience of mountain people to economic and environmental pressures; At the same time, develop innovative financing and implementation tools to promote change, and scale up action and advocacy for a better life for all.
Wang Xiaojun, Director of the Fund of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, proposed that sharing good practice projects, promoting cross-departmental and interdisciplinary cooperation and scientific research, coordinating policy recommendations, and investing in mountain transport infrastructure will improve the living standards and ecological protection of mountain people.
"Historically, 'mountains' have often been a refuge for 'conflict and war', synonymous with 'poverty and backwardness', and the most biodiverse region in the world." Zhou Jie, President of the Kunming Branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, suggested that theoretical innovation and interdisciplinary research on mountain ecosystems should be strengthened, and a data system for biodiversity and cultural diversity of mountain ecosystems should be established.
This conference was hosted by the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and co-organized by many units at home and abroad. During the three-day conference, participants will also conduct in-depth exchanges and discussions on four themes: "scientific exploration", "ecological restoration", "local wisdom" and "future life". (End)