CMF 2019 Objectives
Building on the findings of the First Caucasus Mountain Forum (CMF) the members of the SNC-mt Scientific Steering Group organized the second CMF in 2019 and thereby continued to ensure the sustainability of scientific cooperation and exchange, as well as maintain the science-practice interface through regular dialogue.
The Second Caucasus Mountain Forum followed in the footsteps of CMF 2016 in serving as a crucial opportunity for constructive interaction between scientists, governmental experts, and practitioners; debate on opportunities and challenges; and contributions to the improved coordination of sustainable development in the Caucasus region.
One of the main goals of the Caucasus Mountain Forum 2019, organized under the heading ”The Caucasus Research Agenda – a Key to Sustainable Regional Development” in Autumn 2019 in Ankara, Turkey, was to formally approve the Caucasus Regional Research Agenda. Accordingly, 2019’s CMF theme encompassed the subject areas covered in the Research Agenda, with a focus on identifying the current state of knowledge in the Caucasus region, key challenges and opportunities, and priority gaps for scientific research and development.
Main topics of the Caucasus Mountain Forum 2019 followed the chapters of the Caucasus Regional Research Agenda and were as follows:
- Climate Change
- Biodiversity
- Forest Resources
- Water Resources
- Land Use
- Natural Hazards
- Population and Cultural Diversity
- Tourism and Recreation
- Socio-economic Development and Planning
- Mountain Cryosphere
The specific objectives of the Caucasus Mountain Forum were to:
- Review and approve the Caucasus Research Agenda
- Exchange on the scientific findings and practitioner experiences generated since the first CMF
- Enhance the links between research, policy-making and practice in the field of sustainable mountain development;
- Draw attention of Caucasus countries’ practitioners to needs and priorities in research and development for a sustainable future in the Caucasus
- Showcase latest scientifically informed activities fostering progress towards sustainability in the Caucasus mountain region; and
- Promote sub-regional, regional, and international cooperation, exchange of knowledge and know-how among concerned scientific groups working for sustainable mountain development.