Economic and Social Council
46th plenary meeting
30 July 1998
1998/40 - Declaring the year 2002 as the International Year of Ecotourism
The Economic and Social Council,
Recalling its resolution 1980/67 of 25 July 1980 on international years and anniversaries in which the Council recognized the contribution of international years to the furtherance of international cooperation and understanding,
Recalling also Agenda 21, 1/ which was adopted by one hundred and eighty-two Governments at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit), on 14 June 1992, and the conclusions of the General Assembly at its nineteenth special session relative to sustainable tourism,
Stressing that the implementation of Agenda 21 requires the full integration of sustainable development in the tourism industry in order to ensure, inter alia, that travel and tourism provide a source of income for many people; that travel and tourism contribute to the conservation, protection and restoration of the Earth’s ecosystem; that international trade in travel and tourism services takes place on a sustainable basis; and that environmental protection is an integral part of tourism development,
Stressing also the need to promote the implementation of international conventions on environment and development, including those on biodiversity and climate change,
Bearing in mind the need for international cooperation in promoting tourism within the framework of sustainable development so as to meet the needs of present tourists and host countries and regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future, managing resources to fulfill economic, social and aesthetic needs, and maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life-support systems,
Recognizing the support of the World Tourism Organization for the importance of ecotourism, and particularly of the designation of the year 2002 as the International Year of Ecotourism, in fostering better understanding among peoples everywhere, in leading to greater awareness of the rich heritage of various civilizations and in bringing about a better appreciation of the inherent values of different cultures, thereby contributing to the strengthening of world peace,
Considering that the designation of the year 2002 as the International Year of Ecotourism will encourage the intensification of cooperative efforts by Governments and international and regional organizations, as well as non- governmental organizations, to achieve the aims of Agenda 21 in promoting development and the protection of the environment,
1. Recommends to the General Assembly that it declare the year 2002 as the International Year of Ecotourism;
2. Invites States Members of the United Nations, and members of the specialized agencies and pertinent intergovernmental and governmental organizations, to exert all possible efforts on behalf of the success of the Year, in particular regarding ecotourism in developing countries;
3. Requests the Commission on Sustainable Development, in the framework of its discussion of tourism during its seventh session, to recommend to the General Assembly, through the Economic and Social Council, supportive measures and activities which will contribute to a successful Year;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to provide, in accordance with the guidelines for future international years as contained in the annex to Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/67, necessary support to ensure the success of the Year, including widespread dissemination of pertinent information;
5. Requests the Secretary-General, in cooperation with all relevant entities of the United Nations system, including the United Nations Environment Programme as well as the World Tourism Organization and the World Travel and Tourism Council, to submit to the General Assembly at its fifty-eighth session a report containing:
(a) Programmes and activities undertaken by Governments and interested organizations during the Year;
(b) An assessment of the results achieved in realizing the aims and objectives of the Year, particularly in terms of encouraging ecotourism in developing countries;
(c) Recommendations to further advance the promotion of ecotourism within the framework of sustainable development.
Note :
1/ Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development , Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by the Conference (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigendum), resolution 1, annex II.
Agenda 21 OF THE 1992 Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Road to Rio
During the last two decades, people began to realize that we cannot have a healthy society or economy in a world with so much poverty and environmental degradation. Economic development cannot stop, but it must change course to become less ecologically destructive. The challenge of the 1990s is to put this understanding into action, and make the transition to sustainable forms of development and lifestyles. From the farm field to the boardroom, from the shopping cart to the national budget, we will have to make major changes.
A road map to sustainable development is now taking shape. Agenda 21 is a guide for business and government policies and for personal choices into the next century. It was endorsed by the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the largest-ever meeting of world leaders. This meeting took place during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, which brought together the heads or senior officials of 179 governments. They were joined by hundreds of officials from United Nations organizations, municipal governments, business, scientific, non-government and other groups. Nearby, the `92 Global Forum held a series of meetings, lectures, seminars and exhibits on environment and development issues for the public. This drew 18,000 participants from 166 countries, as well as 400,000 visitors. There were 8,000 journalists covering the Rio meetings, and the results were seen, heard and read about around the world.
The foundations for the Rio process were laid in 1972, when 113 nations gathered for the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, the first global environmental meeting. In 1983, the United Nations created the World Commission on Environment and Development. Four years later its landmark report, Our Common Future, warned that people had to change many of the ways they did business and lived or the world would face unacceptable levels of human suffering and environmental damage.
The commission said that the global economy had to meet people’s needs and legitimate desires, but growth had to fit within the planet’s ecological limits. The commission, known as the Brundtland Commission after its chairman, called for "a new era of environmentally sound economic development". It said that: "Humanity has the ability to make development sustainable— to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
In 1989, the United Nations began planning a Conference on Environment and Development to spell out how to achieve sustainable development. For two years, experts from around the world hammered out difficult agreements along the road to Rio. The international negotiating system was opened up as never before. Thousands of people from non-governmental organizations, businesses, education, women’s groups, indigenous groups and others contributed to the Rio process.
13.1. Mountains are an important source of water, energy and biological diversity. Furthermore, they are a source of such key resources as minerals, forest products and agricultural products and of recreation. As a major ecosystem representing the complex and interrelated ecology of our planet, mountain environments are essential to the survival of the global ecosystem. Mountain ecosystems are, however, rapidly changing. They are susceptible to accelerated soil erosion, landslides and rapid loss of habitat and genetic diversity. On the human side, there is widespread poverty among mountain inhabitants and loss of indigenous knowledge. As a result, most global mountain areas are experiencing environmental degradation. Hence, the proper management of mountain resources and socio-economic development of the people deserves immediate action.
13.2. About 10 per cent of the world's population depends on mountain resources. A much larger percentage draws on other mountain resources, including and especially water. Mountains are a storehouse of biological diversity and endangered species.
13.3. Two programme areas are included in this chapter to further elaborate the problem of fragile ecosystems with regard to all mountains of the world. These are:
(a) Generating and strengthening knowledge about the ecology and sustainable development of mountain ecosystems;
(b) Promoting integrated watershed development and alternative livelihood opportunities.
Basis for action
13.4. Mountains are highly vulnerable to human and natural ecological imbalance. Mountains are the areas most sensitive to all climatic changes in the atmosphere. Specific information on ecology, natural resource potential and socio-economic activities is essential. Mountain and hillside areas hold a rich variety of ecological systems. Because of their vertical dimensions, mountains create gradients of temperature, precipitation and insolation. A given mountain slope may include several climatic systems - such as tropical, subtropical, temperate and alpine - each of which represents a microcosm of a larger habitat diversity. There is, however, a lack of knowledge of mountain ecosystems. The creation of a global mountain database is therefore vital for launching programmes that contribute to the sustainable development of mountain ecosystems.
Objectives
13.5. The objectives of this programme area are:
(a) To undertake a survey of the different forms of soils, forest, water use, crop, plant and animal resources of mountain ecosystems, taking into account the work of existing international and regional organizations;
(b) To maintain and generate database and information systems to facilitate the integrated management and environmental assessment of mountain ecosystems, taking into account the work of existing international and regional organizations;
(c) To improve and build the existing land/water ecological knowledge base regarding technologies and agricultural and conservation practices in the mountain regions of the world, with the participation of local communities;
(d) To create and strengthen the communications network and information clearing-house for existing organizations concerned with mountain issues;
(e) To improve coordination of regional efforts to protect fragile mountain ecosystems through the consideration of appropriate mechanisms, including regional legal and other instruments;
(f) To generate information to establish databases and information systems to facilitate an evaluation of environmental risks and natural disasters in mountain ecosystems.
Activities
(a) Management-related activities
13.6. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should:
(a) Strengthen existing institutions or establish new ones at local, national and regional levels to generate a multidisciplinary land/water ecological knowledge base on mountain ecosystems;
(b) Promote national policies that would provide incentives to local people for the use and transfer of environment-friendly technologies and farming and conservation practices;
(c) Build up the knowledge base and understanding by creating mechanisms for cooperation and information exchange among national and regional institutions working on fragile ecosystems;
(d) Encourage policies that would provide incentives to farmers and local people to undertake conservation and regenerative measures;
(e) Diversify mountain economies, inter alia, by creating and/or strengthening tourism, in accordance with integrated management of mountain areas;
(f) Integrate all forest, rangeland and wildlife activities in such a way that specific mountain ecosystems are maintained;
(g) Establish appropriate natural reserves in representative species-rich sites and areas.
(b) Data and information
13.7. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should:
(a) Maintain and establish meteorological, hydrological and physical monitoring analysis and capabilities that would encompass the climatic diversity as well as water distribution of various mountain regions of the world;
(b) Build an inventory of different forms of soils, forests, water use, and crop, plant and animal genetic resources, giving priority to those under threat of extinction. Genetic resources should be protected in situ by maintaining and establishing protected areas and improving traditional farming and animal husbandry activities and establishing programmes for evaluating the potential value of the resources;
(c) Identify hazardous areas that are most vulnerable to erosion, floods, landslides, earthquakes, snow avalanches and other natural hazards;
(d) Identify mountain areas threatened by air pollution from neighbouring industrial and urban areas.
(c) International and regional cooperation 13.8. National Governments and intergovernmental organizations should:
(a) Coordinate regional and international cooperation and facilitate an exchange of information and experience among the specialized agencies, the World Bank, IFAD and other international and regional organizations, national Governments, research institutions and non-governmental organizations working on mountain development;
(b) Encourage regional, national and international networking of people's initiatives and the activities of international, regional and local non-governmental organizations working on mountain development, such as the United Nations University (UNU), the Woodland Mountain Institutes (WMI), the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the International Mountain Society (IMS), the African Mountain Association and the Andean Mountain Association, besides supporting those organizations in exchange of information and experience;
(c) Protect Fragile Mountain Ecosystem through the consideration of appropriate mechanisms including regional legal and other instruments.
Means of implementation
(a) Financing and cost evaluation
13.9. The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be about $50 million from the international community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and order-of-magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments. Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments decide upon for implementation.
(b) Scientific and technological means
13.10. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should strengthen scientific research and technological development programmes, including diffusion through national and regional institutions, particularly in meteorology, hydrology, forestry, soil sciences and plant sciences.
(c) Human resource development
13.11. Governments at the appropriate level, and with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should:
(a) Launch training and extension programmes in environmentally appropriate technologies and practices that would be suitable to mountain ecosystems;
(b) Support higher education through fellowships and research grants for environmental studies in mountains and hill areas, particularly for candidates from indigenous mountain populations;
(c) Undertake environmental education for farmers, in particular for women, to help the rural population better understand the ecological issues regarding the sustainable development of mountain ecosystems.
(d) Capacity-building
13.12. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should build up national and regional institutional bases that could carry out research, training and dissemination of information on the sustainable development of the economies of fragile ecosystems.