Mountains are specifically mentioned in paragraph 7 of Article 20 of the Convention text, which states that, with regard to funding and transfer of technology, developed country Parties shall take into “consideration the special situation of developing countries, including those that are most environmentally vulnerable, such as those with arid and semi-arid zones, coastal and mountainous areas." However, due to the significance of mountain ecosystems for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use and because mountains include other ecosystem types such as forests and inland waters, mountain biodiversity is cross-cutting in nature and all the other articles of the Convention and many decisions apply to mountain biological diversity.

At its fourth meeting, in 1998, the Conference of Parties selected mountain biodiversity as one of three themes for in-depth consideration at its seventh meeting. The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) at its eighth meeting considered mountain biological diversity and adopted the structure, elements and goals of the proposed programme of work on mountain biological diversity. An Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Mountain Biological Diversity further developed actions under relevant programme elements and goals of the proposed work programme for consideration of the ninth meeting of SBSTTA, which adopted recommendation IX/12 for consideration of the Conference of Parties.

At its seventh meeting, the Conference of the Parties adopted the programme of work on mountain biological diversity (decision VII/27). Pursuant to paragraph 4 of Article 23 and in accordance with the multi-year programme of work, the Conference of the Parties shall keep under review the implementation of the provisions of Convention as they apply to mountain biodiversity and undertake additional activities that may be required.