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Restoring mountain ecosystems: celebrations to mark International Mountain Day

29.11.2023

International leaders and mountain champions will discuss the crucial role of healthy mountain ecosystems for people and the planet, during celebrations of International Mountain Day (IMD) on Monday, 11 December and Wednesday, 13 December 2023.

The focus of this year's IMD, "Restoring mountain ecosystems", aims to call for nature-based solutions for mountains as well as to fully include mountains in the United Nations (UN) Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021–2030, which is co-led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Mountains are home to a variety of magnificent ecosystems that provide vital services to 1.1 billion mountain dwellers and billions of others living in connected lowland areas. When mountain ecosystems are healthy and functioning, their benefits reach far beyond mountain regions. Half of humanity depends on mountains for the provision of freshwater. Healthy mountain ecosystems help mitigate the impacts of climate change and the related risks.

A high-level side event will be held in the Food and Agriculture Pavilion at the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai on 11 December at 14.00–15.00 GST to celebrate IMD. The 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. The event will be broadcast on YouTube – details here.

On 13 December at 14.30–16.00 CET online, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat and the FAO-led UN Decade Task Force on Best Practices will host a technical session "Sharing knowledge throughout the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration: Good practices for the restoration of mountain ecosystems" to showcase and share good practices for restoration of mountain ecosystems. The event will be broadcast on Zoom – details here.

What can you do to celebrate IMD?

• Check out the International Mountain Day social media kit for resources that can be shared widely across your networks.
• Join the conversation on social media using the #MountainsMatter hashtag. Pass on some of this year's key messages or take a photo of your favourite mountain and share it with us and your friends.
• Organize or participate in activities that celebrate mountains, including virtual presentations and events, photo competitions, art exhibitions and hikes.
• Promote your planned event by officially registering it on our gallery of events happening around the world.

Read more about the events
Learn more about IMD
Explore global IMD celebrations