Building Alliances for Resilient Mountains 

Almost one billion people live in mountain areas, and over half the human population depends on mountains for water, food and clean energy. Yet mountains are under threat from climate change, land degradation and natural disasters, with potentially far-reaching and devastating consequences both for mountain communities and the rest of the world.

The extreme vulnerability of mountains puts their natural resources under increasing pressure, which in turn affects mountain peoples, exacerbating hunger, poverty and forcing migration. Despite clear evidence of their importance and vulnerability, mountains continue to be marginalized in international negotiations and national policy-making efforts.

This meeting of Mountain Partnership members is an important opportunity to develop and share action plans to protect mountains and the global environment. It will also provide an opportunity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Mountain Partnership and mark the “International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development 2022,” an opportunity to increase awareness about sustainable mountain development all over the world.

The three-day event, which will be conducted in English, French, Spanish, and Russian, will establish the Mountain Partnership agenda and high-level advocacy goals for the next four years. It aims to place sustainability and the resilience of mountain ecosystems and communities at the center of international processes, policies and investments within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development 2022. Participants will include high-level representatives from mountainous countries, goodwill ambassadors, and representatives of intergovernmental organizations, the private sector and civil society.

In addition to members' sessions, the meeting will feature daily side-events on topics related to engagement of the private sector, strengthening the Mountain Partnership’s relationships with mountain athletes and sport industry, and sustainable mountain development, including climate change, tourism, renewable energy and water conservation. US policy makers and outdoor industry executives will participate and develop action items in concert with key officials from North America and around the world. The gathering will culminate with a forum, hosted by the Aspen Institute, featuring a public keynote address and panel discussions with representatives and key experts.

For interested participants, a two-day excursion will be organized to Telluride, where the Telluride Institute will introduce participants to its global sustainability initiatives and Colorado’s Ute indigenous culture.