MOUNTAIN DAY

Since the very beginning of the founding of the UN, the agency has established a series of memorial days (as well as weeks, years and decades) to help focus the world on issues where the UN has an interest and commitment. The UN world body called on member states and other organizations to mark this day as a reflection of their priorities. International Mountain Day or International Mountain Day is an opportunity to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build partnerships that will bring positive change in the world's mountains and highlands. The UN General Assembly has set a date of December 11, from 2003 onwards, as "International Mountain Day". This decision results from the success of the UN International Year of Mountains in 2002, which increased global awareness of the importance of mountains, stimulated the establishment of national committees in 78 countries and strengthened alliances to enhance the creation of the International Partnership for Sustainable Development in the mountainous area, known as the 'Mountain Partnership or Mountain Partnership (WSSD, Johannesburg, 2 September 2002). FAO was the designated lead agency for coordinating the International Year of Mountains and is mandated to lead the observation of International Mountain Day. This year the International Mountain Day theme will focus on Mountains and Forests (Mountain and Forest). It aims to raise awareness about the relevance of mountain forests and the role they play within a Green Economy as well as in adaptation measures to climate change. Healthy mountain forests are very important for the ecological health of the world. They protect watersheds that supply freshwater to more than half the world's population. They are also the home of untold wildlife, provide food and fodder for mountain people and are important sources of timber and non-timber. But in many parts of the world mountain forests are under threat as never before and deforestation in tropical mountain forests continues at an incredible rate. Protect forests and ensure they are carefully managed is an important step towards sustainable mountain development