"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."

- Agenda 21, Chapter 13, "Managing Fragile Ecosystems: Sustainable Mountain Development"*

* Endorsed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1992.