The Yunnan Initiative

In 1999 the Center, in collaboration with Chinese partners, organized the Leadership Conference on Conservancy and Development, which brought more than 180 experts and observers from around the world to Yunnan. The conference concluded with a comprehensive policy statement, the Yunnan Initiative, which articulated the principles and strategies for cultural and ecological conservation as well as sustainable economic development applicable to places that are culturally and biologically diverse.

Since the formulation of the Yunnan Initiative in 1999, the Center has launched numerous demonstration projects. Among the most successful ones are

(1) Southern Gaoligongshan Conservation and Sustainable Development Project (for details go to Rapid Biological and Social Asset Inventories Project; Southern Gaoligongshan Nature Park Concept Plan);

(2) Historic Preservation of the Ming-dynasty City of Weishan.

Both are key locations on the ancient Southern Silk Road, which predates the more well-known Silk Road of the north by at least three hundred years. The southern road has played a pivotal road in the intercultural relations betwen China, Myanmar, India, Afghanistan, and points further west for at least two thousand years.