In the run-up to International Mountain Day 2016, FAO launched the Mountain Cultures Photo Contest, of which the Mountain Partnership Secretariat was responsible for managing the operational tasks. People were asked to send photos of mountain cultures in action to help promote the vast array of mountain identities and raise awareness of their traditions and rituals.

Over 340 photos from photographers in 57 countries were submitted for the contest. Maryam Farzami of Afghanistan won the photo contest with her photo of an Afghan mother holding her infant daughter in a remote mountain village in Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan.