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UNFF19: Safeguarding mountain forests for sustainable mountain development

24.05.2024

On 10 May, the Governments of Kyrgyzstan, Italy and Nepal, in collaboration with the UN Group of Friends for Mountains, hosted a side event at the 19th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF19) at UN headquarters in New York. The event emphasized the pivotal role of mountains and their forests for global sustainable development.

Speakers included the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan and high-level representatives from Andorra, Azerbaijan, Italy, Japan, Nepal, Rwanda, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, the United Nations Development Programme and Zhimin Wu, Director of FAO’s Forestry Division.

Within the frameworks of the Mountain Partnership and the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions, discussions highlighted the challenges facing mountain regions and how concrete action in mountains can address global issues related to climate change, biodiversity loss and desertification.

With 40 percent of mountain areas covered by forests, their sustainable management is vital for enhancing ecosystem resilience, creating new economic opportunities, and supporting the livelihoods of mountain people. To achieve this, speakers called for transformative approaches and the meaningful inclusion of youth, women and Indigenous Peoples to ensure innovative solutions that leave no one behind.

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Story written by FAO

Photo by Government of Kyrgyzstan