Designed to be a meeting place for scientists, policymakers, and practitioners from the Caucasus region and beyond, the Caucasus Mountain Forum 2018 will serve as a basis for shaping the region’s sustainable future. Contributions are invited on a variety of topics related to sustainable mountain development and the Caucasus Research Agenda, and must be submitted by 30 June.

One of the main goals of the Caucasus Mountain Forum 2018 – held in Ankara, Turkey, from 31 October to 2 November 2018 – is to formally approve the Caucasus Research Agenda. Accordingly, this year’s theme 'The Caucasus Research Agenda – A Key to Sustainable Regional Development' encompasses the subject areas covered in the Research Agenda, with a focus on identifying the current state of knowledge in the Caucasus region, key challenges and opportunities, and priority gaps for scientific research and development.

Proposals for contributions are invited on topics broadly related to sustainable mountain development and the Caucasus Research Agenda. These include climate change, biodiversity, forest resources, water resources and management, land use and land cover change, desertification, mineral resources, natural hazards and risks, population, cultural diversity, tourism and recreation, landscape planning, urban and rural development, regional development policy, and socio-economic development, as well as cross-cutting topics including soils, air pollution, new and renewable energy resources, ecosystem services and economics of ecosystems and biodiversity (TEEB), landscape ecology, transboundary cooperation, infrastructure, and other topics.

The Forum will be organised as plenary sessions, thematic sessions, workshops and poster presentations. The organizers invite you to choose from among the following types of contributions:

• Abstracts for oral presentation in thematic sessions (max. 300 words + 5 keywords). Thematic sessions provide academic researchers a chance to present and discuss their latest scientific findings. Researchers from non-academic settings (NGOs, government, private sector) are also invited.
• Abstracts for a practical example in a workshop (max. 300 words). The purpose of the workshops is to stimulate discussion and exchange between practitioners and scientists. Practical examples in policy advocacy, scientific networking, leveraging spatial data, education for sustainable development, natural hazards and disaster risk reduction are expected. As a consequence, presentations in workshops should be short, focusing on practical insights from development projects, policy initiatives, or teaching practices.
• Abstracts for a poster presentation (max. 200 words). Posters will be displayed in a prominent area. Poster presenters are expected to be present during two dedicated poster sessions. The size of posters should not exceed A0 format (84 cm x 119 cm); one-page handouts should be made available. Moreover, up to 3 posters may be invited for a 2-minute flash presentation in relevant thematic sessions or workshops. A prize for the best poster will be awarded during the Forum’s closing session.

DEADLINES & KEY DATES

• 30 June: Abstract submission
• 15 July: Notification of abstract acceptance
• 15 September: Full paper submission

Abstracts should be written in English. Please use the submission form, which can be downloaded from the Caucasus Mountain Forum 2018 website, and send your proposal to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..