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Water

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.

United Nations General Assembly Report: Sustainable mountain development (2022)

publication

Report of the Secretary-General on Sustainable Mountain Development

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Mountain Partnership key speakers at Italy’s Expo Dubai tourism forum

peak to peak

The March 2022 issue of Peak to Peak highlights the Mountain Partnership's participation in Italy's tourism forum at Expo 2020 Dubai. It furthermore shares the link to download the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development 2022 logos. Top news stories cover two Mountain Partnership members who recently received international recognition...

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Fundación CoMunidad awarded micro-grant for adaptation project

news

Fundación CoMunidad in Panama, a member of the Mountain Partnership (MP) and Steering Committee representative alternate for Major Groups in North and Central America and the Caribbean, is one of the recipients of the Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA) micro-grants initiative.

With the launch of its micro-grants call in November...

Project monitors mountainous watersheds and streams to mitigate pollution in the Black Sea

news

A new project financed by the European Union aims to reduce pollution in the Black Sea by monitoring pollutants and litter in mountainous streams and watersheds.

The "Protect Streams 4 Sea" project focuses on joint environmental monitoring of nonpoint source pollutants and litter. It aims to mitigate such pollutants from entering...

International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development, 2022

publication

On 16 December 2021, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution proclaiming 2022 the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development at the proposal of the Kyrgyz Government. The resolution was sponsored by 94 governments and invites the Mountain Partnership to facilitate the observance of this Year.

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Winner of GROW Summer School agrobiodiversity innovation contest announced

peak to peak

The October 2021 issue of Peak to Peak announces the winner of the GROW Summer School agrobiodiversity innovation contest. Top news stories cover two mountain-related UNFCCC Pre-Cop26 side events and updates on mountains in the Expo 2020 Dubai programme. Peak to Peak continues with a look at upcoming events in...