International Mountain Day
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
09/12/2021
International Mountain Day
hosted by the President of the Italian Republic
Remarks
By
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
As prepared
Rome, 9 December 2021
Honourable President of the Italian Republic, Mr Sergio Mattarella
Honourable Ministers,
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. I am honoured to be with you today in the beautiful Quirinale Palace.
2. We are here together to celebrate International Mountain Day – a day to step up action for the sustainable development of mountains worldwide.
3. Within the United Nations system, the Food and Agriculture Organization plays a leading role in sustainable mountain development.
4. And I wish to thank the Government of Italy for the strong collaboration, vision and continued support.
5. FAO and the Government of Italy, together with the United Nations Environment Programme and the Government of Switzerland, established the Mountain Partnership in 2002.
6. For which FAO hosts the Secretariat, with the support of the Governments of Italy, Switzerland and Andorra.
7. The Mountain Partnership is the only United Nations alliance dedicated to improving the lives of mountain peoples, and protecting mountain environments.
8. This year’s International Mountain Day is dedicated to sustainable tourism in mountains.
9. Mountains contribute to the livelihoods of 1.1 billion people living in mountain areas, and many more in the world’s lowlands.
10. However, we also know that 350 million mountain rural people are vulnerable to food insecurity.
11. Tourism is one of the most-affected sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic, and for this reason this year’s theme is an important opportunity to rethink mountain tourism.
12. Mountain destinations need to be innovative, with diversified products and services for a more inclusive and sustainable future.
13. Effective tourism management in mountains can increase household incomes, contribute to landscape and biodiversity conservation, and support resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
14. We need to develop sustainable “agri-turismo” that values, respects and protects the unique natural, cultural and traditional heritage of mountain communities.
15. Today as we celebrate our majestic mountains, let us not forget that we are all mountain people.
16. It is up to us to rebuild mountain tourism that is more sustainable and equitable, with long-term benefits for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all – and ensuring that no one is left behind.
17. Thank you.