Mountains cover nearly a quarter of the Earth’s land surface and are home to 1.2 billion people. Their ecosystems provide essential services to billions more living downstream, such as slope stabilization, climate and water regulation, biodiversity conservation and livelihood support.  Mountains are critical water towers for both upland communities and approximately 2 billion people in lowland areas. They are also reservoirs of terrestrial biodiversity and centres of diverse cultural, linguistic and traditional heritage.  Their agrifood systems are drivers of sustainable mountain development due to their potential for small- and medium-sized enterprises, and their links with tourism and niche markets.  

Despite their global significance, mountain regions are increasingly exposed to the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation and pollution. Rising temperatures are accelerating glacier retreat, reducing snow cover and destabilizing permafrost. These changes are triggering more frequent and severe hazards like flash floods and landslides—threatening food security, livelihoods and ecosystems in mountain areas and downstream.  

One out of two rural mountain people in developing countries is vulnerable to food insecurity.  Poverty, marginalization and inequitable gender dynamics are root causes of this vulnerability. Many — in particular youth — migrate in search of better opportunities, while mountain women are often left to manage the farms with limited access to credit, land tenure rights or extension services.  

Despite these challenges, mountain regions are rich in natural beauty, cultural heritage and biodiversity — all of which hold deep cultural, ecological and economic worth. For centuries, mountain communities have demonstrated exceptional ingenuity in adapting to life at altitude and continue to do so in the face of a changing climate.  

In mountain regions, innovation and tradition often go hand in hand. Livelihoods diversification — through sectors such as sustainable tourism, mountain agriculture, forestry and environmental services — is a key strategy for resilience. These sectors not only protect and promote healthy mountain ecosystems but also bolster economies. Financing, national policies, regional cooperation and training are essential to advance inclusive and sustainable development of mountain regions. 

The 7th Global Meeting will address these interconnected challenges and explore solutions that can improve the quality of life for current and future generations. It aims to:

• showcase innovative solutions and case studies in responsible tourism, climate adaptation and community resilience;
• strengthen existing and new partnerships across sectors and borders;
• position mountains at the centre of international climate, biodiversity and development agendas;
• adopt the Mountain Partnership’s 2026–2030 advocacy and communications strategies, along with the revised governance document; and
• elect the next Steering Committee, which will oversee the implementation of the Mountain Partnership’s workplan and activities over the next four years.