Mountains, as the world’s water towers and integral elements of the cryosphere, are vital to billions of inhabitants in mountains and connected lowland areas. Yet mountains are under threat from climate change, land degradation and natural disasters, with potentially far-reaching and devastating consequences for both mountain communities and the rest of the world.
Today, climate change in mountains poses a significant risk to peace and security, exacerbating hunger and poverty, triggering migration, and heightening vulnerability and social instability. Of particular concern is mountain ecosystems’ vulnerability to the increasing adverse effects of climate change on the cryosphere, as indicated by the IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report. This is leading to water stress and disruptions in water availability which could potentially trigger conflicts over shared resources.
Prompted by these challenges, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2023–2027 “Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions” in its triennial resolution on sustainable mountain development. This quinquennium aims to promote sustainable mountain development and improve mountain people’s livelihoods through international processes, governance, research, innovation and increased awareness and investments.
Within the framework of the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions 2023–2027 and the upcoming International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025, this session aims to bring the mountain-cryosphere nexus to the forefront of international processes.
Key stakeholders will gather to discuss strategies for increasing political support for the conservation and restoration of mountain resources, examine the intricate links between climate change and security, and consider best practices and recommendations to accelerate transformative and political momentum towards inclusive, resilient and sustainable mountain development.
