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International Mountain Day 2023 celebrated around the world

04.01.2024

Mountain lovers from over 30 countries marked International Mountain Day (IMD) 2023 with hikes, film screenings, tree plantings, seminars and more. Under the theme "Restoring mountain ecosystems", governments, organizations and individuals organized over 70 events recognizing IMD.

At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28) in Dubai, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held a high-level IMD event together with mountain champions and leaders on 11 December and launched the publication Restoring mountain ecosystemsjointly produced with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). A virtual technical session led by the MPS and the FAO-led UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Task Force on Best Practices showcased success stories from mountain ecosystem restoration initiatives around the world.

The FAO IMD photo contest received 478 submissions from 56 countries. The winning photo was "Mountain Farming in Yagnob Valley, Tajikistan" by Marc Foggin from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Over 100 articles in major national and international news outlets were published about IMD. FAO's social media content on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn was shared extensively and over 110 multilingual posts were published across social media. FAO was also mentioned 1 368 times in related posts, reaching nearly 48 million users.

Events with a global focus

With IMD 2023 taking place during COP 28, several Mountain Partnership members took advantage of this opportunity to highlight mountains at the global climate conference. The Mountain Sentinels Collaborative Network held an event that highlighted community-based approaches to climate adaptation and sustainable mountain development. Meanwhile, the Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre (KIRDARC) discussed the importance of engaging mountain communities to build resilience in mountain ecosystems in a side event at the Nepal Pavilion.

Mountain Research and Development and UNEP organized an online discussion to present experiences of different types of knowledge to support mountain landscape restoration.

In New York, the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations commemorated IMD 2023 with an event at the United Nations Headquarters where updates were given by Andorra, Bolivia, Italy, Japan and Kyrgyzstan.

Events across Africa and the Near East

In Cameroon, the Foundation for Environment and Development celebrated with the DIMARA women’s group in Akum to raise awareness for mountain ecosystems and call for nature-based solutions to build resilience.

A hike in Malawi coordinated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water and Sanitation helped draw attention to the conservation efforts occurring at Muokela Hill in Ntcheu, such as tree planting.

To showcase the benefits of restoration, the organization Afri-Nature conducted a tree planting event in the Morogoro region in the United Republic of Tanzania and provided environmental education considering water resources for people living in the Uluguru Mountains.

In the Islamic Republic of Iran, elementary students took part in informational sessions on mountain ecology and ecotourism and viewed Varjin Mountain.

Events in the Americas

In Argentina, the Aconquija National Park and the Argentine Mountain Association of Tucumán hosted a community lecture on the need for mountain conservation and responsible mountaineering.

Crescente Fértil hosted a virtual meeting of municipalities and committees of hydrographic basins of the Paraíba do Sul River was held in Brazil to promote dialogue between different institutions to help preserve springs in the area.

Alto Fragua Indi-Wasi National Park in the Colombian Andes hosted a fair of local Indigenous Peoples’ mountain products.

In Canada, researchers presented their findings on climate change in the Abbot Pass during an event hosted by Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. The Canadian Mountain Network conducted a webinar to discuss restoring Canada’s mountain ecosystems.

In Peru, the Mountain Technical Group hosted a scientific event that raised awareness about mountain ecosystems in Peru. A hike led by Mountain & Culture through Antankallo in Lima commemorated IMD .

In the United States of America, the Utah International Mountain Forum at Utah Valley University celebrated its 14^th annual IMD event, this year focusing on the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions.

Events in Asia

In India, the Institute of Himalayan Environmental Research and Education inaugurated a mountain seed bank. Giripremi held an event that screened short films about Mt. Meru and Mt. Sudarshan and launched a new book at the event. The Globetrekkers Conservation Adventure and Trekking Society hosted an online symposium on the restoration of mountain ecosystems with participation by Mountain Partnership Goodwill Ambassador Luis Benitez.

In Pakistan, DEVCOM-Pakistan hosted the 13^th Pakistan Mountain Festival which included a hike, cleanup, painting competition, documentary screenings and a talk on mountain biodiversity. Additionally, a seminar with speakers from the University of Agriculture-Swat examined mountain agriculture, ecotourism and agribusiness in the context of climate change.

The Ministry of Environment of Sri Lanka and FAO collaborated to showcase the untapped potential of Sri Lanka's mountains with activities such as a hike, a workshop on mountain tourism, and discussions on the biological and archaeological significance of Manawa Mountain.

Events across Europe

A celebration hosted by Georgian Technical University noted the importance of sustainable mountain development with an exhibition of organic mountain products, a gathering of women entrepreneurs and a feature on students producing organic agriculture products.

In Italy, a short film festival and competition held at the Polytechnic of Milan School of Design spotlighted students’ personal mountain stories. Meanwhile, a hackathon was held by the Meneghini Institute of Higher Education of Edolo and UNIMONT to work on creative strategies for protecting mountain territories.

The National Agency of the Mountain Area, the Mountain Economy Center of the Romanian Academy, the Mountain Forum of Romania, and the National Association for Mountain Rural Development held the conference "How do we preserve mountain ecosystems for future generations?"

An international scientific event held in Türkiye shed light on different aspects of the geographical challenges of mountains and mountainous areas, which are increasing, especially with global climate change.

For a full list of events, visit the IMD website.

To inform the MPS of your IMD 2023 celebrations if you have not already, please email [email protected].

View the IMD 2023 Flickr album