The Cogne Declaration
for
International Mountain Parks Twinning Programme
10 to 14 October 2006
Following the Cusco Mountain Partnership agreements and long time interest of many parties on the exchange between mountain parks globally, a Cogne Declaration is proposed by the participants of the Gran Paradiso & Sagarmatha National Parks Twinning Programme Startup Workshop, 10-14 October, 2006, Turin and Cogne,
Following the implementation of Agenda 21 Chapter 13 on Sustainable Mountain Development, and subsequent World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and Biskek World Summit recommendations during the International Year of Mountains in 2002,
Recognising that international sharing of experiences, and in particular mountain parks twinning programme is a valuable contribution to the achievement of the goals and objectives of the Convention of Biodiversity (CBD) for conservation, sustainable use and fair and equitable distribution of benefits, especially the COP-7 decision on Mountain Biodiversity 2004,
Recognising that the fragility of transboundary mountain parks and consequent challenges,
Recognising the values of natural and cultural landscapes in providing the wellbeing services,
Realising that the need for balancing conservation and economic development especially for the people dependent on mountain parks,
Being conscious of the social, cultural and traditional values of mountain communities, Understanding the importance of traditional natural resource management and strong social institutions as safety nets for mountain communities,
Having knowledge and experience on existing management practices in mountain parks of Asia and Europe,
We, the participants from the Asia and Europe, representing government agencies, international bodies, non-governmental organizations, universities and research institutions, local institutions, international donors and development assistance agencies, the private sector and other professionals, on invitation of Grand Paradiso National Park assembled in Turin and Cogne from 10 to 14 October 2006
RECOGNIZE AND DECLARE:
That a Mountain Park Twinning Programme (MPTP) should be established as a valuable instrument for the benefits of conservation of global biodiversity.
This MPTP will involve as starting members the Gran Paradiso National Park and the Sagarmatha National Park, and will be developed in the framework of Mountain Partnership as a contribution to the to-be-launched Biodiversity Initiative following the celebration of International Mountain Day to biodiversity preservation and in the view of International Year of Mountain Plus five in 2007.
The involvement of additional actors and international organizations are welcomed as they can contribute to strengthen the cooperation for twinning programme.
The initial phase of this MPTP in particular will emphasize facilitation and exchange of know-how in the following areas:
(a) Conservation of biodiversity and environmental management
(b) Promotion of good governance, sustainable development and innovations, especially with the participation of local stakeholder and authorities.
(c) Management of natural resources including water and improvement of local livelihoods.
(d) Conservation and restoration of the natural and cultural landscape.
(e) Promotion of conservation education and applied research.
(f) Management of Parks, including staff and local communities training.
WHERE ALL POLICIES AND ACTIONS SHOULD BE FOUNDED ON THE FOLLOWING GUIDING PRINCIPLES
To support decentralized, participatory, multi-stakeholder, interdisciplinary, eco-regional and adaptive management approaches for mountain parks that respect social and cultural diversity, gender equity, livelihood security and maintenance/improvement of biological diversity as well as sustainability where we value and build upon both traditional and scientific information and knowledge. In doing so the local knowledge and traditional practices will be promoted and safe guarded while rights of self determination of the local populations shall be respected.