The International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (Nairobi, Kenya) is facilitating and coordinating the African Highlands Initiative -- an eco-regional initiative aimed to develop an integrated research programme for better management of natural resources. The collaborative project is a joint effort of the national agricultural research systems and non-governmental organizations from seven countries (Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire) and ten international research centres. Eight themes of regional importance have been identified: (a) improving the diagnosis of resource management issues; (b) maintaining soil productivity under population pressure; (c) improving management systems for highland valleys; (d) increasing the diversity of crop varieties to better fit farmers' conditions; (e) developing agro-ecological strategies for pest management; (f) conducting research on natural resources policy; (g) conducting training; and (h) disseminating information.