Inclusive Bioeconomy: Mountain-Based Approaches for Nature Positive and Climate Resilience

Background

The Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, will host the 4th Mountain Futures International Conference in Kunming, China in September 2025. The five-day conference will focus on the theme: “Inclusive Bioeconomy: Mountain-Based Approaches for Nature Positive and Climate Resilience.” This event will be hosted by the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and co-organized by the United Nations Environment Programme’s International Ecosystem Management Partnership, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Mountain Partnership, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, the World Agroforestry Centre, the Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and the Shan Shui Nature Conservation Center.

Mountain Futures was initiated in 2016 by the Kunming Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Animal Science, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the World Agroforestry Centre, the United Nations Environment Program, the Food and Agriculture Organization ‘s Mountain Partnership, and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development. Mountain Futures work aims to protect and restore mountain ecosystems while improving the well-being of mountain people through learning and sharing green development solutions. Since its establishment, Mountain Futures has convened three international conferences. In December 2022, at the second phase of the CBD COP15 in Montreal, it organized a side event titled “Mountain Futures under the Global Biodiversity Framework” and released the “Mountain Futures Action Plan.”

As the chair country, China facilitated the achievement of the “Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” at the second phase of the CBD COP15 in December 2022. The recently concluded CBD COP16 in November 2024, while implementing various agreements under the Kunming-Montreal Framework, particularly emphasized the contributions of indigenous peoples and communities in the conservation and utilization of biodiversity, as well as in ensuring equitable benefit-sharing and peace. This fully demonstrates that the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework provides a great opportunity to promote innovative actions for biodiversity conservation and rural revitalization in mountain communities. The “Mountain Futures Action Plan” further offers a vision, principles, and guidelines for action to enhance green development and ecological protection in mountain communities

Objectives

The IV Mountain Futures International Conference will focus on the future of mountain regions under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, promoting innovative actions by indigenous peoples and communities in the utilization of biodiversity. It will concentrate on the comprehensive perspectives of large-scale food and health in mountain ecosystems, from mountains to oceans, and from plateaus to lakes, using an integrated approach of mountains, waters, forests, fields, lakes, and grasslands. The conference aims to build ecological chains, production chains, food chains, and trade chains for an inclusive bioeconomy under global change, advancing green transformation and the integrated development of urban and rural areas. It will also involve learning and sharing eco-wisdom based on the diverse ecological cultures of mountain regions and interdisciplinary research, as well as new solutions, models, and economies arising from the integration of technology and industry. This effort is in response to the challenges of biodiversity conservation under global economic recession and change, exploring the path of green transformation towards a characteristic bioeconomy in mountain areas, and achieving inclusive and high-quality development in mountain regions

Themes

An inclusive bioeconomy is a high-quality, integrated development model centered on the inextricable links between cultural and biological diversity. It is people-centered, respecting the traditional use of biological resources while embracing scientific innovation. This approach aims toward a future of green, low-carbon, and healthy living, benefiting vulnerable groups and underdeveloped countries through the construction of sustainable industrial value chains. The conference will be centered on the theme: “Inclusive Bioeconomy: Mountain-Based Approaches for Nature Positive and Climate Resilience” and will feature four sub-themes:

1. Indigenous Wisdom and Ecological Pluralism
   • Seeking wisdom from nature, we will uncover the green genes and ecological culture embedded in thousands of years of farming civilization. Integrating local wisdom and green genes from human development history into the diverse ecological perspectives of mountain green development. We will promote in-situ natural ecology education, carry out the inheritance of cultural diversity, and enhance South-South cooperation, exchange, and innovation, enabling indigenous peoples, local communities, and other stakeholders to fully and effectively respond to global changes and participate in the implementation of the post-global biodiversity framework. Innovative actions based on local diverse values, ecological wisdom, and practice will make mountain communities more resilient and effective in conservation.
2. Scientific Exploration and New Quality Productive Forces
   • Throughout history, mountains have generated new ecosystems, new life forms, and new cultures. Today, rapid ecosystem change, and technological innovation are driving the emergence of new habitats, industries, and momentum. The diverse natural environments, complex climates, and rich cultural landscapes of mountains make them ideal hubs for innovations in agroecosystems and more sustainable bioeconomic industrial chains.
3. Ecological Restoration and Climate Resilience
   • Mountains are hotspots of biodiversity and are also fragile high-elevation ecosystems. This forum will address ecosystem degradation due to unsustainable development and invasive species and highlight emerging research on nature-based restoration and circular bioeconomy practices to counteract biodiversity loss and declines in ecological function. Topics will include ecological monitoring, carbon sequestration technologies and recycling how to achieve carbon neutrality, and more.
4. Future Living and Green Trade Chains
   • This forum will focus on sustainable development driven by a green, low-carbon, circular economy connected to a high quality of life. The integration of agrifood systems, bioeconomy, and better human health is reshaping global trade chains. We will discuss building a green Silk-Road using bioeconomic industry chains in mountain regions integrated with the global Belt and Road Initiative, promoting green infrastructure, investment, and finance, while advocating for green consumption and a low-carbon, high quality of life.

Participation Form & Conference Registration

1. Abstract & Poster Submission (Deadline: August 10, 2025)
   • Topics: 4 themes of the conference
   • Eligibility: All research aligning with conference themes (use attached template)
   • Responsibility: Authors must ensure content accuracy and originality
2. Notification of Selection
   • Accepted presenters/posters will be notified by August 25, 2025
3. Journal Publication Opportunity
   • Studies in Fungi: http://www.maxapress.com/sif
   • Circular Agricultural Systems: http://www.maxapress.com/cas
   • Submission Deadline: September 28, 2025
   • Review Process: Fast-track peer review for conference participants

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Photo by Cexin Ding on Unsplash.