The theme of this year's report can be explained by the significance of mountain- related issues for Kyrgyzstan and is in full compliance with the UN decision to declare 2002 the International Year of Mountains. Kyrgyzstan has a rare opportunity to attract the world's attention and to change attitudes toward the problems of mountains that exist within the Republic whilst creating conditions for the identification and implementation of a policy of sustainable development for mountain areas – a policy of economic partnership, social welfare achievement and the recognition of the fact that mountain areas are significant. This report is not only confirmation of the topical nature of problems characteristic to the Republic's mountain areas and the focus on all aspects of their development, it also is a demonstration of the value of the concept of human development for Kyrgyzstan.
This Report reflects the results of research into the following areas:
- study of international and national aspects of mountain area development;
- evaluation of the current legislative framework aimed at providing support to and the development of mountain areas;
- comparative analyses of territorial differences (altitude and bio-climatic characteristics, remoteness and accessibility, infrastructure development, demographic and migration processes, etc.);
- evaluation of human potential and differences in development nationwide, particularly in mountain areas;
- definition of the range of economic, social and socio-political problems, characterizing of some mountain settlements and mountain areas as a whole;
- analysis of the problems of government decentralization, mountain area management and the social mobilization of the population.