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Argentina celebrates International Mountain Day at the UN in New York

16.12.2013

The Permanent Mission of Argentina, together with the Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), celebrated International Mountain Day (IMD) with an event in New York, USA, on 11 December 2013.

Representatives of more than 30 governments as well as major groups and intergovernmental organizations attended the event which focused on this year’s theme, “Mountains: Key to a sustainable future’. Speakers included representatives of Argentina, Italy, Kenya, Peru, Spain and Turkey,the Director of the FAO-LONY office and a representative of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat.

“We face a paradox. Despite the fact that mountains are so vital, few countries have policies targeting mountains’ well-being,” said Maria Cristina Perceval, the Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations. “Countries need better legal, social and political instruments to protect the land, strengthen tenure rights, prevent exploitation and preserve biodiversity.”

“Mountains are the space where sustainable development can take place,” said Thomas Gass, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs. “Successful mountain partnerships can show the international community that progress is possible everywhere.”

“Today is an occasion for us to remember how crucial mountains are to life,” said Rosalaura Romeo, MPS Programme Officer. “In particular we want to ensure that mountains are included in the sustainable development goals as sustainable development will not be possible without sustainable mountain development.”

During the IMD event, a publication, ‘Mountain Farming is Family Farming’ was launched. The book highlights how securing land tenure, providing access to resources for mountain family farms, and improving basic infrastructure in mountain regions are among the key solutions to improving the livelihoods and food security of mountain and lowland communities.

The publication was published by FAO, the Centre for Development and Environment of the University of Bern and the Centre for Development Research of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, and received valuable contributions from several MP members from around the world.