International Mountain Day 2024; December 11th.

FORUM: “Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation and youth.” International Mountain Day 2024. Over centuries, mountain communities have developed solutions to adapt to their harsh environments, deal with climate change, reduce poverty and protect or restore biodiversity and ecosystems in mountain regions. This year’s celebration aims to focus on innovative solutions, fostering adaptation strategies and empowering youth for a sustainable future. Innovation is essential for addressing complex mountain-related issues. It encompasses technological advancements, such as digital solutions for monitoring and conservation, as well as creative problem-solving such as climate-smart agriculture and novel approaches to livelihoods, resource management and financing. As climate change exacerbates environmental pressures on mountains, adaptation becomes imperative for building resilience and reducing vulnerability. Adaptation strategies tailored to mountain ecosystems and communities include solutions such as ecosystem-based approaches to disaster risk reduction and the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems. The active, meaningful and inclusive participation of youth in decision-making is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of mountain solutions. Young people are committed to climate action, gender equality, social justice, innovation, the promotion of culture, and inclusion. The celebration of the IMD 2024 promotes decent work and quality employment for young persons, universal and accessible training, and entrepreneurship opportunities that contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of mountain resources. The International Mountain Day 2024 is a platform for exchanging knowledge, showcasing best practices and mobilizing collective action. By embracing innovation, adaptation, youth empowerment, and collaborative approaches, we can pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for mountain communities and ecosystems. While "Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation and youth" is the suggested theme for 2024, countries, communities and organizations are welcome to celebrate IMD through a theme that is more relevant to them. This year’s theme was selected to fully include mountains in the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021–2030, co-led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the UN Environment Programme. The Decade is an opportunity to draw together political support, scientific research and financial resources to significantly scale-up restoration and prevent further degradation of mountain ecosystems.The United Nations General Assembly also recently proclaimed 2023–2027 as “Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions” in its triennial resolution on sustainable mountain development. Its objectives are to attract grant assistance and investments for mountains, develop “green” economies and technologies, create mechanisms to strengthen cooperation between mountainous countries, and develop science and education in the field of sustainable mountain development. The celebration of the International Mountain Day 2023 is a chance to increase awareness about the relevance of mountain ecosystems and call for nature-based solutions, best practices and investments that build resilience, reduce vulnerability and increase the ability of mountains to adapt to daily threats and extreme climatic events. Follow the conversations with the hashtags:#MountainDay, #ReadingMountains, #11December, #MountainsMatter,#mountainecosystem #ecosystemservice #InternationalMountainDay.

EVENTS: A virtual event will be held in the Food and Agriculture Pavilion at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 11th at 14.00–15.00 GST to celebrate the International Mountain Day 2024. The virtual event will feature high-level speakers, youth and Indigenous Peoples who will share their perspectives on addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation in mountain regions. Register to participate!

On Wednesday, 11 December 2024, from 11.00 - 16.30 CET at the Atrium, FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy; Join the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Mountain Partnership Secretariat at an event in the FAO atrium to celebrate International Mountain Day. The event will feature prominent speakers and a dynamic set of activities that bring together global leaders, experts, mountain community representatives and change makers. The FAO Atrium will be transformed into a mountain village, offering visitors an immersive experience that showcases the diverse innovations and solutions of mountain communities, as well as a food and coffee tasting with products from Italian mountain regions in collaboration with Slow Food, the Mountain Future Award 2024 ceremony, and a traditional Guatemalan dance performance. A video and publication on innovative mountain solutions will also be launched to mark the Day. The event will be broadcast soon; See details here and Get the agenda programme!

Worldwide celebrations: The ICIMOD is an intergovernmental institution working towards a greener, more inclusive, and climate resilient Hindu Kush Himalaya. Explore the ICIMOD Meetings, workshops, trainings and conferences and Get the list of IMD2024 upcoming events.

FESTIVAL: Taking place every year in the run-up to or on International Mountain Day on December 11th, the Reading Mountains Festival 2024 will offer us an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the literary and cultural diversity of the Alps. This year, the Festival enters its ninth edition, and if you have never been part of it, we warmly invite you to join in or attend an event! Learn more about the Tenth edition of the Reading Mountains Festival.

Mountain future Award: In celebration of International Mountain Day 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is inviting institutions and individuals over 18 to submit proposals for transformative projects that contribute to a sustainable tomorrow for mountains, for a chance to win the 2024 Mountain Future Award. Project submissions should emphasize the following areas:

Innovation – Innovation should be a key aspect of the project proposal. This could encompass technological (including digital), social, policy, financial, and/or institutional innovations that address complex social, economic and environmental challenges in mountains.


Adaptation – Project proposals should promote climate adaptation. This could include adaptation strategies tailored to mountain ecosystems and communities, resilient agrifood systems, climate smart agriculture, ecosystem-based approaches to natural resource management, the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems or traditional techniques, and the promotion of circular economy.

Youth – The active, meaningful participation of youth in decision-making is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of mountain solutions. Project proposals should emphasize youth leadership, such as being youth-led and/or youth-focused, promoting universal and accessible training for young persons in mountains, and empowering young people to be agents of change through digital technology, research and entrepreneurship opportunities that contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of mountain resources. 

Along with international recognition, the three awardees will each receive seed funding of USD 5 000, generously provided by the following sponsors: the Arjun Gupta Family Foundation, Forte di Bard, and Polo Museale - Sapienza University of Rome. The winning proposals will also receive project incubation assistance from the FAO Mountain Partnership Secretariat.

The Global Mountain Explorer can help a variety of users – from hikers planning their next adventure, to scientists, resource managers and policy makers seeking information that is often sparse in these prominent yet often understudied landscapes. Mountains occupy anywhere from 12 to 31 percent of the land surface of the Earth, but despite their importance, surprisingly few attempts have been made to scientifically define and map these regions worldwide with detail. Visualizing Mountains!

STATEMENTS: Read the statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Mountain Day 2024 and the Statement by David Cooper Acting Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity International Mountain Day 2024; December 11th.

International Mountains Day 2022; December 11th.

FORUM: "Women move mountains" International Mountain Day 2022. Women play a key role in environmental protection and social and economic development in mountain areas. They are often the primary managers of mountain resources, guardians of biodiversity, keepers of traditional knowledge, custodians of local culture and experts in traditional medicine. The observance of the Day will give us the opportunity raise awareness about the need to empower mountain women so they can participate more effectively in decision-making processes and have more control over productive resources. By sharing excellence, opportunities and capacity development in mountains, the Day can promote gender equality and therefore contribute to improve social justice, livelihoods and resilience. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #MountainMatter, #InternationalMountainDay, #11December, #IYM2022.

EVENTS: Every year, a large number of events – from group hikes and outdoor activities, to exhibitions, cultural performances, contests and concerts – are organized across the world to celebrate Mountains. While “Women move mountains” is the suggested theme for IMD 2022, countries, communities and organizations are welcome to celebrate International Mountain Day through a theme that is more relevant to them. The Roadmap to observe 2025 as International year of Glaciers Will approved by UNGA soon.




STATEMENTS: United Nations Secretary-General's message on the Launch of the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development 2022.

Join the READING MOUNTAINS FESTIVAL

International Mountain Day, December 11th.

International Mountain Day, 11 December.

 Международный день гор, 11 декабря.

国际山岳日, 12月11日.

Journée internationale de la montagne, 11 décembre.

Día Internacional de las Montañas, 11 de diciembre.

اليوم الدولي للجبال و 11 ديسمبر كانون الاول.

 

 

International Mountain Day

 

 

 

2015 Theme: “Promoting mountain products for better livelihoods”

Тема 2015 года: «Содействие сбыту продукции, произведенной в горных районах, в целях создания более эффективных источников средств к существованию»

2015年主题：“推广山地产品，强化生计手段”

Thème 2015 : Promouvoir les produits de montagne pour une meilleure qualité de vie.

Tema 2015 : La promoción de productos de montaña para mejorar los medios de vida.

موضوع عام 2015: الترويج للمنتجات الجبلية من أجل النهوض بسبل العيش

 

 

 

Promoting Mountain Products for better livelihoods

 

 

Promoting mountain products is the theme chosen for this year’s celebration of International Mountain Day. Globalization offers opportunities for mountain producers to market their high quality mountain products, such as coffee, cocoa, honey, herbs, spices and handicrafts at the national, regional and international levels. Though mountain agriculture cannot compete with the prices and volumes of lowland production, it can concentrate on high value, high quality products to boost local economies.
Tourism-related services such as skiing, climbing, cultural heritage or nature trails that allow visitors to discover unique biodiversity are also some of the offerings provided by mountains and mountain communities. If sustainably managed, tourism can provide an opportunity for development in mountain regions.

International Mountain Day 2015 provides an occasion to highlight how mountain communities are protecting biodiversity by producing a large variety of typical products and providing crucial goods and services to all of us.

Mapping the vulnerability of mountain peoples to food insecurity.

 EVENTS : International mountain day 2015 – around the world

While Promoting mountain products is the suggested theme for 2015, countries, communities and organizations are welcome to celebrate International Mountain Day through the choice of a different theme that might be more relevant to them.


RESOURCES:
Promoting Mountain Products for Better Livelihoods (Factsheet 2015)
International Mountain Day 2015 (FAO)
Sustainable mountain resources management via research, conservation and information sharing (UNESCO)
United Nations Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform (Mountains)

 

International Mountain Day 2013, December 11

 The theme 2013 is 'Mountains - Key to a Sustainable Future'

 Join the Forum : 11 december is International Mountain Day

International Mountain Day (IMD) is meant raise awareness about the importance of mountains, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build partnerships that will bring positive change to the world's mountains and highlands.

For more on the challenges of sustainable development in mountain regions, the importance of mountain ecosystems and FAO's related work, read the articles and fact sheets featured in this Focus. 

 Related Links
   

• FAO: providing global leadership on sustainable mountain development
• Mountains and freshwater  
• Mountain poverty poses unique problems, requires tailor-made solutions
• International Year of Mountains and Beyond    
• Forging partnerships for practical solutions

International Mountain Day - 11 th December 2012

Information material :

Poster International Mountain Day 2012

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Factsheets International Mountain Day 2012

	Mountains and Biodiversity
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	Mountains and Climate Change
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	Mountains and Water
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	Mountains and Food Security
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Factsheets Rio+20

	Why mountains matter for Africa African mountains are highly vulnerable water towers and breadbaskets for the lowlands. In the uncertainty created by climate change, high population growth and land-use change, urgent policy action is needed.
	Why mountains matter for North America North America’s mountains are a primary source of fresh water and other natural resources. They contribute to revenues generation through recreation and tourism industry, besides providing solace and spiritual connection. But a warming climate, human encroachment, and some business practices present severe challenges.
	Why mountains of the Middle east and North Africa matter Mountains of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region provide goods and key ecosystem services that are vital for the sustainable development. Though, urban expansion and environmental changes are causing increasing pressure.
	Why the Alps matter With a population of 14 million people spread over eight countries, the Alps play many important roles for Europe. The economy is based on a symbiosis among tourism, services, industry, electricity generation, and agriculture, but the territory presents great disparities in terms of population, unemployment, economic density and GDP.
	Why mountains matter in global sustainable development Mountains provide vital goods and services for the benefit of all humankind, for supporting sustainable development at a global level, and for moving the world towards a greener economy. Since the provision of these goods and services is at risk, the global community must act.
	Why the Andes matter Covering 33% of the area of the Andean countries, these mountains are vital for the livelihoods of the population and the countries’ economies. However, growing population, changes in land use, unsustainable exploitation of resources, and climate change, could have far-reaching negative impacts on the ecosystem.
	Why the Central Asian mountains matter The Central Asian mountains provide an astonishing array of globally essential ecosystem goods and services: forest products, land for food production, watershed protection, habitat for flora and fauna of global significance, regulation of natural hazards and climate, natural areas for leisure activities, storage and release of water.
	Why mountains matter for Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe Being natural barriers and safe havens for people, flora and fauna, these mountains have always played a key social, economic and environmental role. Given a tight highland-lowland linkage, the global changes threatening them may have serious impacts far beyond the mountain boundaries.
	Why the Hindu Kush Himalaya matters It is the source of 10 major river systems and provides a vital ecosystem to 1.4 billion people. The region includes 4 global biodiversity hotspots, 488 protected areas, 330 bird areas, and 60 global eco-regions. However, it is also home to more than 40% of the world’s poor people and faces extreme vulnerability and risks due to climate change.
	Why mountains of the Southeast Asia and Pacific region matter They spread across countries hosting one of the world’s highest and most severely threatened biodiversity. Even though indigenous peoples developed skills in protecting the tropical mountain ecosystems, policies ignored them and resources have been expropriated, so that mountain people marginalization and vulnerability has increased.

International Mountain Day - 11th December 2012

 International Mountain Day is an opportunity to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build partnerships that will bring positive change to the world’s mountains and highlands. Mountains are crucial to life.

Whether we live at sea level or the highest elevations, we are connected to mountains and affected by them in more ways than we can imagine. Mountains provide most of the world's freshwater, harbour a rich variety of plants and animals, and are home to one in ten people. Yet, each day, environmental degradation, the consequences of climate change, exploitative mining, armed conflict, poverty and hunger threaten the extraordinary web of life that the mountains support.