14 May 2014: Government officials from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Colombia expressed support for a regional mechanism to address the sustainable development of the Andean mountains at a meeting organized by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS) and the Argentinean Mountain Committee. Participants agreed to define the mechanism’s structure, governance, objectives and workplan and ensure its operation as soon as possible.

The meeting built on the results of a joint project between MPS and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO). Project activities included: establishing a regional structure to address transboundary mountain and sustainable development issues; strengthening national mountain committees in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru; and increasing political attention on sustainable mountain development. National mountain committees, which include government bodies and non-governmental organizations, exist in these six Andean countries. The MPS is working to engage Venezuela in establishing a committee, with the aim of including all seven Andean countries in the regional mechanism.

The meeting, titled ‘Towards the Creation of a Subregional Mechanism for the Andes,’ included presentations on the regional mechanism and updates from the national mountain committees. Participants also discussed a biodiversity strategy and financial support for the mechanism. The meeting took place from 7-9 May 2014 in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. [MPS Press Release] [Meeting Website] [Meeting Agenda]