The second International Forum on Sustainable Development of Mountain Areas took place on October 1-3, 2025 in Makhachkale, Russian Federation, bringing together more than 700 high-level participants. The event was organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Dagestan and attracted parliamentarians, representatives of specialised agencies, expert communities, diplomatic corps and delegates from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS and other regional associations.
Sergey Melikov, Head of the Republic of Dagestan, opened the forum alongside Inna Svyatenko, Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, and Dmitry Kobitsky, Secretary-General of the Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS. Their remarks set the tone for practical cooperation on sustainable solutions for mountain communities and environments.
During a key panel discussion, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Suhel Khan briefed delegates on the current state and prospects of trade and economic cooperation within the SCO, highlighting decisions taken at the organisation’s September 1, 2025 summit in Tianjin, China. His address connected regional economic frameworks to tangible measures that can support sustainable mountain development across member states.
Participants left the forum with a set of proposals aimed at strengthening protection of mountainous areas through improved legislation, enhancing interregional and border cooperation, and expanding environmentally focused tourism and sport initiatives. Measures to improve the quality of life for people living in mountainous zones received particular emphasis, reflecting an integrated approach to economic, social and environmental priorities for mountain development.
The Makhachkale meeting built on momentum from the first International Forum on Sustainable Development of Mountain Areas held on October 12–13, 2023 in Saint Petersburg. Outcomes from the second forum are likely to inform policy discussions in other mountain regions, including those in Pakistan, where lessons on cross-border cooperation, sustainable tourism and legal protections for fragile mountain ecosystems are especially relevant.
