'We are all mountain people', a roundtable says13.05.2016The Food and Agriculture Organization Liaison Office for North America (FAO-LOW) organized a meeting with Thomas Hofer, Coordinator of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, to present key results from the FAO study on vulnerability to food insecurity in mountain areas on 3 May 2016. With the key message from the study that 1 in 3 persons in mountain areas of developing countries is vulnerable to food insecurity, the roundtable discussed the important role of mountains to eradicate hunger, sustain ecosystem services and build climate change resilience. The briefing opened with a presentation by Hofer, followed by a Question and Answer session that showcased that mountain ecosystems are very fragile and need more attention in policy-making. The participants agreed that it is imperative to support mountain communities, keep their livelihood systems intact and provide them with a voice in decision-making. The participants appreciated the great efforts of the Mountain Partnership – a voluntary alliance of 274 members. They also recognized the key role of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, which is hosted by FAO and benefits from FAO’s technical work on mountain development, watershed management and forest hydrology. Ekwall pointed out that a change of mind-set was needed in which mountains are recognized not only for their beauty, but as areas that provide resources of universal importance, such as freshwater and biodiversity. Hofer closed by highlighting that the mountain agenda is truly global and that, accordingly, sustainable mountain development and the eradication of poverty and hunger are responsibilities of the entire world community. FAO meeting discusses hunger in the mountains Photo: FAO/Claudia Koebler
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