UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme organised the first activity of the World Network for Mountain Biosphere Reserves (WNMBR), which will be focused on creating research opportunities and supporting knowledge exchanges on environmental and social issues relevant to mountain biosphere reserves.
In December 2021 the General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA) declared the year 2022 as the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development (IYM). To launch this International Year, the Mountain Partnership hosted an online event on April 28 under the theme “Mountains Matter: for people and the planet”.
On 16 December 2021, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution proclaiming 2022 the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development, 20 years after the last International Year of Mountains in 2002.
The origins of International Mountain Days date back to 1992, when the Conference on Environment and Development was held at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The United Nations (UN) proclaimed 2002 as the International Year of Mountains. Since then, the International Mountain Day (IMD) has been celebrated every 11 December.
On 28 July 2021 the Mountain Partnership, organised the United Nations Food Systems Pre-Summit event on food systems in mountains.
The session brought together over 130 participants for a fruitful discussion on the role of sustainable food systems in mountain areas.