PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly has designated December 11th, from 2003 onwards, as International Mountain Day. The day aims 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. The Mountains cover around 27% of the Earth’s land surface and host about half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. As the water towers of the world, they supply freshwater to an estimated half of humanity. Mountains are home to an extraordinary range of plants and animals, and to many culturally diverse communities with different languages and traditions. From climate regulation and water provisioning services, to soil maintenance and conservation, mountains are key to our lives and livelihoods. Yet mountains are suffering from the impacts of climate change and unsustainable development, escalating risks for people and the planet. Climate change threatens the flow of water, and fast-rising temperatures are forcing mountain species and the people that depend on these ecosystems to adapt or migrate. Steep slopes mean the clearing of forest for farming, settlements or infrastructure can cause soil erosion as well as the loss of habitat. Erosion and pollution harm the quality of water flowing downstream. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, up to 84% of endemic mountain species are at risk of extinction, while populations of a range of other montane plant and animal species are projected to decline and face extinction. The recent biodiversity agreement of the 2022 United Nations Biodiversity Conference – which pledges to protect 30% of the Earth’s lands, oceans, coastal areas and inland waters by 2030 – provides an impetus to revive and protect mountain landscapes. Increasing climate variability, coupled with a lack of investment in mountain agriculture and rural development, has often pushed men to migrate elsewhere in search of alternative livelihoods. Women have therefore taken on many tasks formerly done by men, yet mountain women are often invisible due to a lack of decision-making power and unequal access to resources. On 16 December 2021, to promote action for mountains, the General Assembly proclaimed 2022 as the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development at the proposal of the Kyrgyz Government. The Roadmap to observe 2025 as International year of Glaciers and World Day for Glaciers were adopted by a United Nations General Assembly resolution inviting UNESCO and WMO, in cooperation with UN Member States and relevant organizations of the United Nations system, to facilitate their implementation.

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.