The fragility of the mountainous systems of South America, Meso-America and the Caribbean in withstanding the onslaught of development will be the central them of the Regional Conference on Mountains, to take place in Cuba, May 29-31. Mountains hold biological diversity and water resources that are essential to the region. The exploitation of their mineral reserves and the expansion of farming and cities are threatening their delicate balance, say the organizers of the conference, which is sponsored by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The conference is planned as part of the International Year of the Mountains, declared by the UN in order to raise global awareness about the state of these ecosystems, which are also home to 500 million people.