Décembre 2009 - DECLARATION DE l'AEM - COP 15

declaration of AEM - COP 15

Recalling the UN General Assembly relevant resolutions on mountain issues (53/24 of 10 November 1998, by which it proclaimed 2002 the International Year of Mountains, and also its resolutions 55/189 of 20 December 2000, 57/245 of 20 December 2002, 58/2 16 of 23 December 2003, 60/198 of 22 December 2005 and 62/196 of 19 December 2007),

Reaffirming chapter 13 of Agenda 21 and all relevant paragraphs of the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, in particular paragraph 42 thereof, as the overall policy frameworks for sustainable development in mountain regions,

Recognizing the strong involvement of the Mountain Partnership and its fruitful cooperation with other mountain-development oriented structures, at International and European level,

Stressing the recent entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty and its article 174 on territorial cohesion objective, focussing on a particular attention to specific territories such as mountain regions, encouraging harmonious development of the European territory,

1.                            Underlines the importance of mountain natural resources: freshwater (for more than half of humanity), wood, minerals, rich biological and cultural diversity which are essential for all territories and deserve a particular protection and management,

2.                            Recalls the strong contribution of mountain territories in renewable energies development (hydroelectricity) and other innovative technologies, (mainly in European countries), and thus, the contribution of mountain territories to adaptation to climate change and green growth guidelines,

3.                            Stresses that mountains are highly sensitive indicators of global climate change through various phenomena, such as retreat of mountain glaciers, changes in seasonal run-off, degradation of permafrost and land slipping,

4.                            Notes the necessity of adaptation measures to increased natural risks due to climate change (avalanches, forest fires, inundations), which lead to alarming natural and human consequences,

5.                            Points out the loss of the specific mountain biodiversity and ecosystem which plays a key role in the support of global environmental, economic, social and cultural sectors: eco-industries, hydropower, tourism, forests, agriculture,

6.                            Underlines the link between natural realities and demography; human activities remain necessary to develop mountain territories and keep them dynamic, through a valorised mountain economy,

7.                            Recalls advanced European cooperations in mountain massifs (Conventions, Euroregions, Working Communities, European programs) which encourage adapted solutions and development of specific mountain strategies/ policies,

8.                            Invites Governments to encourage cooperation programs between developed and developing countries, support exchange of best practices and so improve capacities to deal with climate change,

9.                            Requests a specific approach to mountain territories in developed and developing countries according to their different realities, in order to valorise their contributions to climate change adaptation, and to face up to their fragility,

10.                         Recommends to achieve an ambitious and legally binding global climate treaty, ioning the role all mountain regions in their diversity in addressing the climate change.

AEM have for

President: Mrs Mercedes Bresso, President of Region Piedmont (It);

First Vice-President delegated: Mr. Miquel Angel Palacio Garcia, President of the Parliament of Cantabria (Es)

Second Vice-President delegated: Mr. Joël Giraud, Vice-president of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’azur (Fr)

And gathers 60 Regions, 120 Provinces and 10 000 municipalities in the EU members states.