14 January 2013
MENA Countries to Form Regional Initiative for Mountains
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During a regional meeting on climate change adaptation in mountain regions, over 15 representatives from the MENA region agreed to form a Regional Initiative for Mountains within the context of the Mountain Partnership.

Climate change is impacting mountain regions in new ways, and the Mountain Partnership regional initiative will help to share information and build capacity to adapt to climate change impacts.

19 December 2012: During a regional meeting on climate change adaptation in mountain regions held in Marrakech, Morocco, over 15 representatives from the Middle East and North African (MENA) region agreed to form a Regional Initiative for Mountains in the MENA Region within the context of the Mountain Partnership.

The meeting identified common issues across the region and looked for a common platform to promote increased capacity and the application of climate change adaptation measures. Participants highlighted that climate change has altered both the traditional challenges and the answers to the challenges facing mountain regions. They also discussed new and existing funding mechanisms, noting the new Regional Trust Fund initiative launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO).

The meeting was organized by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat and the FAO, in partnership with the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, in the context of the Strategic Initiative for Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Development in Mountain Regions funded by the World Bank.

The Mountain Partnership is a UN voluntary alliance of partners dedicated to improving the lives of mountain people and protecting mountain environments around the world. Currently, 50 countries, 16 intergovernmental organizations and 135 Major Groups are members. [Mountain Partnership Press Release]

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