Mountain Forum originated from events following the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. At this historic meeting heads of state and government endorsed United Nation's Agenda 21 which, among others, outlined in its Chapter 13 "Managing Fragile Ecosystems: Sustainable Mountain Development" the need for more emphasis on information sharing and advocacy for mountains areas of the world. Regional and global consultations were held with the participation of eminent mountain experts, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), universities, governments, multilateral agencies, and the private sector.

As a result, in September 1995, 27 representatives of NGOs, interagency groups, government organisations, and other resource persons gathered from five continents for the purpose to further elaborate the objectives and initial activities of the organisation that from then on would be known as Mountain Forum - an ongoing mechanism for the exchange of information and mutual support for equitable and ecologically sustainable mountain development.

Participants at the Initial Organising Committee met for five days and worked to address the task charged to them. They wrote a report, which provides a succinct history of the ways in which Mountain Forum was born and evolved. To read this report, click on the link below.

Report of the Initial Organising Committee of Mountain Forum (Size: 208 kb)