Mountain Partnership

Celebrating mountain solutions for a sustainable future on International Mountain Day

09/12/2024

On 11 December 2024, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat will host an event to celebrate International Mountain Day at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. This year's theme, “mountain solutions for a sustainable future”, will be woven throughout the day's activities, highlighting the key role that adaptation, innovation and youth play in mountains. 

The event, running from 11.00 to 16.30 CET, will transform the FAO atrium into a vibrant mountain village, bringing together global leaders, experts, mountain community representatives and youth innovators.  

“Montagna Madre – Mother Mountain”, a captivating food experience will kick off the day. The food tasting, which will showcase the authentic flavours, culinary heritage and biodiversity of Italian mountain regions, will be available all day and is organized in collaboration with Slow Food, the Botanical Garden of Rome and the Mountain Partnership. Don't miss out on this journey through taste, culture and tradition that celebrates the richness of Italy's mountainous landscape! 

Following opening remarks from Rosalaura Romeo, Coordinator of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat and a video message by Qu Dongyu, Director-General of FAO, the event will launch a new publication “Promoting innovation and tradition: Solutions for climate change adaptation in mountains” and the Mountain Future Awards 2024 ceremony. Fashion designer, Stella Jean will lead the session where three prestigious awards will be presented in the categories of innovation, adaptation and youth, sponsored by the Arjun Gupta Community Foundation, Association Forte di Bard, and the Botanical Garden of Rome. 

Ethical fashion in Guatemala will take centre stage at International Mountain Day, with a video, and four looks from the collection designed by fashion designer Vivia Ferragamo and Wakami, Hilar. Zhimin Wu, Director of FAO Forestry Division, will provide concluding remarks. Bringing the session to a close, a performance by the Guatemalan dance group “IK Guatemala” will bring the vibrant cultural heritage of the region to life. 

For more information on the events of the day, see here.