Mountain champions: celebrating International Mountain Day 2024

"Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation and youth" was the focus of this year’s International Mountain Day (IMD) celebration on 11 December 2024 at the FAO headquarters in Rome. Organized by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS), the event showcased how mountain communities lead the way in sustainable development, with activities highlighting key pathways for sustainable progress in these regions.

“Blending innovation and tradition is vital for effective mountain adaptation strategies, with mountain communities on the front line in addressing the climate crisis”, emphasized Rosalaura Romeo, Coordinator of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, setting the tone for the day's events. A video message from FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu highlighted the role of mountain communities and the need to act on their solutions to combat food insecurity, the impacts of the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and socio-economic challenges.

A mountain village, brought to life by Slow Food Italy producers in the FAO Atrium, transported visitors to the diverse regions of Italy. Mountain delicacies such as Monte Veronese DOP from Veneto, pecorino cheeses from Lazio, soppressata sausage from Campania, coffee tastings from the Coffee Coalition from Veneto and Sicily were offered throughout the day. The tastings showed how mountain culinary traditions contribute to resilient local food systems, spotlighting the interconnectedness of mountain ecosystems. Remarks by Barbara Nappini, President of Slow Food Italy, and Fabio Attorre, Director of the Botanical Garden of Rome, launched the Montagna Madre 2025 event, a spin-off of Slow Food's historic Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, which will be held in Rome in the spring of 2025.

High-level speakers, including H.E. Bruno Archi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Italy to FAO, and H.E. Taalai Bazarbaev, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Kyrgyz Republic to FAO, reaffirmed global commitments to protecting mountain regions. “We must elevate the voices of mountain communities and ensure their needs are prioritized,” emphasized H.E. Bruno Archi.

The Mountain Future Award recognized three innovative projects which aim to bring solutions and strategies to address the challenges in mountains. Sara Manuelli, Advocacy and Outreach Officer of the MPS Mountain Partnership moderated the session and Goodwill Ambassador and fashion designer Stella Jean delivered the awards to Eric Muhire from Rwanda for innovation, Acres of Ice, represented by Suryanrayanan Balasubramanian from India, for adaptation, and the Mountain Youth Hub, represented by Rocío Melina García from Argentina, for youth. The prizes were sponsored by the Arjun Gupta Foundation, Forte di Bard Association and La Sapienza University of Rome. The winners later presented their projects in a session moderated by Stefania Corrado, Communication and Advocacy Expert of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat.

“By merging Indigenous wisdom with AI, we empower youth and women to lead sustainable agriculture, nurture biodiversity, and create resilient mountain communities—cultivating hope in a changing climate,” said Eric Muhire. Suryanrayanan Balasubramanian shared, “The Mountain Future Award enables us to build ice reservoirs to compensate for glacial losses, a crucial adaptation technique for mountain communities across the Hindu Kush Himalayas and the Andes.” Rocio Melina García explained the rationale behind their project, “Mountain sustainability is not just about preserving landscapes; it’s about empowering youth as the future stewards of our mountains. The Mountain Youth Hub shows how their enthusiasm can ignite transformative change.”

The event continued with a session moderated by Giorgio Grussu, Project Coordinator of the MPS who introduced a collaboration in Guatemala with fashion designer Vivia Ferragamo and Wakami, a women-led social enterprise. This collaboration is part of the MP project “Fashion for Fragile Ecosystems” which is funded by the Government of Italy and aims to bridge contemporary, ethical fashion with cultural heritage. Luca Biancone, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, shared, "This initiative not only supports these artisans but also promotes fair trade practices and cultural exchange.” Vivia Ferragamo shared the aim of the collaboration, stating, “their resilience and creativity inspired me to help them bring their work to wider markets. It’s about empowering these talented women while preserving their cultural heritage.” H.E. Olga María Pérez Tuna, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Guatemala to FAO, emphasized the value of such initiatives in preserving cultural traditions, which create opportunities for communities. The festivities continued with IK Guatemala, a Guatemalan dance group, where three generations of dancers performed traditional dances with Mayan ceremonial kites, which have been recently recognized by UNESCO in the category of intangible cultural heritage.

Mountain Partnership members and countless others worldwide celebrated International Mountain Day, with events held across the globe to commemorate and highlight the importance of these vital ecosystems.

Watch the event highlights