The United Nations General Assembly designated 11 December “International Mountain Day”. As of 2003, it has been observed every year to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build alliances that will bring positive change to mountain peoples and environments around the world.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is the coordinating agency for the preparation and animation of this celebration and is mandated to lead the observance of it at the global level. The Mountain Partnership Secretariat in the FAO Forestry Division is responsible for coordinating this international process.
International Mountain Day 2026 theme
Mountain pastoralists: Sustaining rangelands, knowledge and livelihoods
International Mountain Day 2026 celebrates the role of mountain pastoralists who, through their knowledge, mobility and care, raise animals, contribute to food security and steward fragile mountain rangelands.
Drawing on Indigenous and local knowledge developed over generations, their practices help regenerate vegetation, maintain healthy soils, water cycles and wildlife habitats, and respond to climate variability – while supporting rural mountain economies and preserving ecosystems.
As a contribution to the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, the Day highlights the environmental, social and economic importance of mountain rangelands and calls for greater recognition of mountain pastoralists as custodians of ecosystems that sustain life from the highlands to the lowlands.
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How will you mark the day?
- Check out the International Mountain Day social media kit for resources that can be shared widely across your networks.
- Join the conversation on social media using the #MountainsMatter hashtag. Pass on some of this year's key messages or take a photo of your favourite mountain and share it online.
- Organize or join events celebrating mountains, such as hikes, symposiums, photo competitions, art exhibitions, craft fairs or school talks.
- Don’t forget to tell us about it by registering your event and send us photos so we can add them to the gallery of events happening around the world.
Key messages
Mountains are the world’s water towers
About 70 percent of Earth’s freshwater exists as snow or ice and glacier runoff is vital for drinking water, biodiversity, agriculture, industry and hydropower. Nearly 2 billion people – including many Indigenous Peoples – depend on water from mountains for their essential daily needs, livelihoods and cultural practices.
Glaciers are melting fast because of climate change
Five of the past six years have seen the most rapid glacier retreat on record. Between 2000 and 2023, glaciers lost 6542 billion tonnes of ice. Some 600 glaciers have already disappeared and many more will vanish if temperatures continue to rise.
As glaciers disappear, vulnerable mountain communities will suffer the most
Mountain communities in developing countries are often among the world’s poorest and around half already do not have enough food for normal growth, development and a healthy life. Changes in glacier and snow melt rates affect their ability to grow crops and increase the risk of floods and landslides. Today over 15 million people globally are highly vulnerable to flooding from glacier lakes.
Glacier loss is also a loss of cultural heritage
Many Indigenous Peoples and mountain communities revere glaciers as the abode of gods and spirits, sacred sources of water, and symbols of identity. 18 000 glaciers in 50 UNESCO World Heritage sites are losing 58 billion tonnes of ice annually. By 2050, one-third of glaciers in these sites is expected to disappear.
Global action is needed to preserve glaciers for future generations
Many more glaciers will vanish without immediate, ambitious efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and adopt adaptation strategies. Youth-led initiatives and combining Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge with science can guide policies on protected areas, sustainable land use, and early warning systems to address water supply disruptions and hazards from melting snow and ice.
Spread the word!
Join the #MountainsMatter campaign by sharing our free material on digital channels and raise awareness about mountains.
Related links
Contact us
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Past years
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For more information on International Mountain Day 2025, visit the webpage.