Mountain Adaptation Outlook Series - Synthesis Report

The outcome has been a series of regional agendas on climate change adaptation that have either been endorsed by governments at highest level, or are in development. Examples of the regional policy dialogues and outcomes include: In the Tropical Andes , all Andean countries, in the context of the meeting of the Andean Mountain Initiative,* have developed a regional agenda on climate change and adaptation benefitting all Andean countries. This Strategic Agenda was finalised and agreed upon at the regional consultation meeting in Bogotá, Colombia 10-11 July 2017. The Andean Initiative serves as the regional institutional framework for the Strategic Agenda, with CONDESAN providing the interim technical secretariat for theAndeanMountain Initiative. In Central Asia , a regional strategic guidance document for adaptation to climate change is currently being developed, in a partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Regional Mountain Centre for Central Asia (RMCCA). The objective of the strategic guidance document is to promote synergies and a more coherent regional approach towards climate change adaptation and sustainable development in Central Asian mountain regions and * The Andean Mountain Initiative comprises the seven Andean countries (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina). The aim is to generate and strengthen regional dialogue oriented at developing collaborative actions in the sub- region. The first meeting of the Andean Initiative was held in Tucumán Argentina in 2007, with support from the Mountain Partnership, where the countries subscribed to the ‘Tucumán declaration’ on the Initiative, and presented the ‘Action Plan for the Sustainable Development of the Andes Mountains’. The latest meeting of the Andean Mountain Initiative was held in Quito, Ecuador in November 2018.

to provide a better guidance for future efforts on adaptation taking into account specific challenges of mountain regions. It is intended to be endorsed by all five Central Asian countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan andUzbekistan and anchored within the ICSD.

In East Africa the Outlook included key elements for a East African Mountain Agenda that were reviewed through the respective inter-governmental bodies of the East African Community.

The Strategic Agenda for Climate Change Adaptation in the Andes Mountains CASE STUDY

Objective 4: Adaptation to the effects of climate change on Andean ecosystems and biodiversity Measures: 1. Strengthen the resilience of Andean ecosystems by reducing other anthropogenic pressures, with an emphasis on reducing over exploration of natural resources; 2. Support research to evaluate ecosystem functions and services with a focus on mountain ecosystems and how they are affected by climate change; 3. Strengthen the monitoring of species vulnerable to climate change; 4. Protect the habitat of species vulnerable to climate change, by for example establishing protected areas and other means for protection and conservation; 5. Strengthen the management of protected areas with increased participation of local communities; 6. Maintain or establish ecological corridors between protected areas to ensure ecological connectivity; 7. Implement Ecosystem based Adaptation in Andean ecosystems, as a means to reduce the impact of climate change both on Andean communities and ecosystems.

In 2017 in Bogotá, Colombia the seven Andean countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador,PeruandVenezuela)agreedonastrategic agenda for regional cooperation on climate change adaptation in the Andes Mountains. This document includes 10 objectives, each of which includes a list of concrete measures. The Strategic Agenda highlights common priorities and consensus in the region.This includes a broad approach to adaptation to climate change, which addresses socioeconomic vulnerability, ecosystem protection and strengthening of governance structures for effective and fair adaptation. The document was developed over several regional meetings with representatives from the countries from 2015 onwards. The process took place within the Andean Mountain Initiative. As an example, Objective 4 is described below (unofficial translation):

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