Mountain settlement conference opens in Almaty

The third annual international conference of the Central Asian Mountainous Settlements Alliance openned in the Kazakh capital, Almaty, on Monday, aimed at strengthening social mobilisation and development of villages. "This is an opportunity to highlight some of the challenges facing mountain communities in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan," Aigul Zhaneserikova, country representative of the Central Asian Mountain Partnership (CAMP) which is organising the event, told IRIN from Almaty. The main objective of the conference this year is to further the exchange of experience between mountain communities in Central Asia, as well as to support the efforts of local institutions and individuals aimed at improving sustainability of mountain development. Sponsored by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, CAMP hopes to promote the sustainable use of renewable natural resources in the mountain regions of Central Asia through research and development activities, capacity building, networking and communication, and partnership activities involving individuals and institutions inside and outside the region, with the overall aim of enhancing economic development, social welfare, and ecological sustainability, Zhaneserikova explained. "Our goal is to assess the challenges facing communities today, exchange ideas and experience, as well as encouraging new members to join. We are also encouraging greater dialogue with government bodies as well," the CAMP official said. The six-day conference follows similar meetings in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek and the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, by the group.