Each day, one of every two people on the planet quenches his thirst with water that originates in mountains. And as the world population swells to an estimated 9.6 billion by 2050, the worldwide demand for freshwater will continue to soar.
More than half of humanity relies on mountain freshwater for everyday life. The ten largest rivers originating in the Hindu Kush Himalayas alone supply water to over 1.35 billion people. Some of the world’s largest cities, including New York, Rio de Janeiro, Nairobi, Tokyo and Melbourne, are dependent on freshwater from mountains.
Climate change is already causing more than 600 glaciers to disappear, resulting in springs and rivers drying up. Greater frequency of extreme weather events, droughts and floods, including flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), are also expected to increase in mountains, causing imbalance between current water supply and demand.
Given the importance of mountain water resources worldwide, the careful management of mountain water resources is a global priority. Water management practices need to be adapted to different climatic zones, using locally adapted soil and water management techniques. Most importantly, watershed management must take into account the needs of all those who depend on mountain water, including those who have the greatest stake in preserving healthy mountain ecosystems – people who live in mountain areas themselves, who are often marginalized from the decision-making processes.
![]() 2030 Agenda for Mountains - Framework for ActionpublicationOn International Mountain Day (11 December) 2017, a Framework for Action to support concrete actions, put in place long-lasting processes, and establish policies to strengthen the resilience of mountain peoples and environments was launched at the fifth Global Meeting of the Mountain Partnership. The Framework will aim to ensure that sustainable... Download » |
Le Programme 2030 pour les Montagnes - Cadre d’actionpublicationOn International Mountain Day (11 December) 2017, a Framework for Action to support concrete actions, put in place long-lasting processes, and establish policies to strengthen the resilience of mountain peoples and environments was launched at the fifth Global Meeting of the Mountain Partnership. The Framework will aim to ensure that sustainable...
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Повестки Дня На Период До 2030 Года Для Гор - Рамочная программа действийpublicationOn International Mountain Day (11 December) 2017, a Framework for Action to support concrete actions, put in place long-lasting processes, and establish policies to strengthen the resilience of mountain peoples and environments was launched at the fifth Global Meeting of the Mountain Partnership. The Framework will aim to ensure that sustainable...
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La Agenda 2030 para las Montañas - Marco de acciónpublicationOn International Mountain Day (11 December) 2017, a Framework for Action to support concrete actions, put in place long-lasting processes, and establish policies to strengthen the resilience of mountain peoples and environments was launched at the fifth Global Meeting of the Mountain Partnership. The Framework will aim to ensure that sustainable...
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![]() Resilience in face of climate change theme of MP Global MeetingnewsMore than 150 representatives from mountainous countries, intergovernmental organizations and civil society will endorse concrete measures and policies to strengthen the resilience of mountain people and environments in the face of climate change during meetings at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters in Rome, Italy... Read more » |
![]() Resilient Hindu Kush Himalaya: Developing Solutions towards a Sustainable Future for AsiaeventThe International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), jointly with the Ministry of Population and Environment of Nepal and with support from the European Union, is hosting an international conference titled “Resilient Hindu Kush Himalaya: Developing Solutions towards a Sustainable Future for Asia” on 3-6 December in Kathmandu,... Read more » |
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