The United Nations General Assembly declared the year 2022 as the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development, at the proposal of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic. The corresponding resolution was sponsored by 94 governments and was adopted at the plenary meeting of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly on 16 December 2021.
The resolution invited Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, other international organizations and stakeholders, including civil society, private sector and academia, to observe the International Year to increase awareness of the importance of sustainable mountain development and the conservation and sustainable use of mountain ecosystems.
It furthermore invited the Mountain Partnership, in collaboration with all relevant organizations, to facilitate the observance of the International Year.
The year 2022 also marked the 20th anniversary from the first International Year ever devoted to mountains (International Year of Mountains 2002) as well as the 20th anniversary of the Mountain Partnership.
Key facts
Climate change
Food insecurity and poverty
Pollution
Land degradation
Infrastructure
Conflict
The Open-ended Scientific Committee (OESC) of the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development published a series of policy briefs on the most pertinent topics, ranging from climate change and ecosystem restoration to data monitoring and sustainable tourism:
In 2023, the OESC transitioned into the Science and Knowledge Advisory Committee, a permanent body strategically designed to underpin the Mountain Partnership’s work and bolster the alliance’s advocacy and communication goals.
To ensure the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development 2022 would fully benefit mountain peoples and ecosystems, increasing knowledge about their main challenges and promoting investments toward mountain areas, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat launched an Open-ended Scientific Committee.
The main aim of this committee was to produce scientifically sound messages to effectively communicate “mountain issues and strengths” to diverse audiences to mobilize attention and resources. The Committee contributed to overseeing the observance of the International Year and sharing mountain related information and knowledge.
At the end of the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development, the Open-ended Scientific Committee evolved into the Science and Knowledge Advisory Committee of the Mountain Partnership.