International Mountain Day 2024 around the world

Every year, mountain lovers around the world come together to celebrate International Mountain Day (IMD) on 11 December, with a multitude of events taking place far and wide. This year, at least 23 different countries across the world marked the day. From film screenings and conferences to community walks and youth engagement initiatives, the celebrations highlighted the vital role mountains play in our ecosystems and the urgent need for their protection. 

The FAO headquarters in Rome hosted the Mountain Partnership Secretariat’s celebration for IMD. Under the International Day’s theme “Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation and youth”, mountain champions and leaders focused on how to address the climate crisis through innovation and youth engagement.

Over 840 submissions were received from about 75 countries for the inaugural Mountain Future Award 2024 which was part of the IMD festivities at the FAO headquarters. The three winners for the award are: Eric Muhire from Rwanda for innovation, Acres of Ice from India for adaptation, and Mountain Youth Hub (global) for youth. The award included 5 000 USD in seed funding, sponsored by the Arjun Gupta Foundation, Forte di Bard Association and La Sapienza University of Rome. 

In the media, more than 150 articles were published globally, with social media posts engaging millions of users, amplifying the day’s message. Across the continents, events organized by governments, organizations, and Mountain Partnership members celebrated mountain culture, innovation, and sustainability: 

Asia and the Middle East  

In India, Giripremi, a mountaineering club, organized a film show in Pune about the first successful ascent of Mt. Meru, as well as an online drawing and flyer-making competition. 

An event in Maros, Indonesia, focused on community sharing and panel discussions around the theme of innovation, adaptation, and youth for a sustainable future in the mountains. 

A conference in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq addressed sustainable development, including mountain resources, health, and water protection. The event also included a hiking trip to Goizha mountain.  

Nepal held its 9th Mountain Festival in Pokhara, celebrating mountain ecosystems, cultures, and communities through exhibitions, workshops, and activities aimed at promoting sustainable development, innovative solutions, and global awareness of mountain challenges and opportunities. 

The University of Agriculture Swat in Pakistan held awareness sessions and interactive dialogues focusing on sustainable mountain agriculture systems and climate change resilience. 

In Türkiye, the Ministry of National Education celebrated International Mountain Day with a focus on sustainability education with a trip for students to Mount Erciyes,  

Europe 

A policy debate in Brussels, Belgium, organized by Euromontana, the Government of Catalonia and CREAF, introduced the Puigcerdà Declaration, to discuss recommendations from the European Mountain Convention. The event took place at the Delegation of the Government of Catalonia to the European Union 

In Greece, Naturefriends Greece, among other environmental organizations, held a gathering at Thiseio station in Athens to discuss the protection of mountains and biodiversity. 

In Italy, several events took place including an International Mountain Day conference at Forte di Bard, focusing on the Aosta Valley Glaciers. Additionally, the CORTALP Festival in Milan showcased short mountain films by young video designers. A separate event in Milan, organized by Mountain Wilderness International, explored the connection between women and mountains. The CrossMED conference in Reggio Calabria highlighted sustainable development issues related to the cultural landscape in the Mediterranean region. 

Portugal hosted online talks in Lisbon, addressing ethics, aesthetics and good practices in mountain sports and sustainable tourism. A public session in Espinho was held by a mountaineering club, where members presented their activities. 

In Romania, an event organized by CE-MONT in Vatra Dornei focused on innovation, adaptation and youth engagement for a sustainable future in the mountains. 

Spain saw celebrations in La Sénia, with a focus on caring for mountains. 

The Americas 

Brazil had a range of events across 21 cities, called "SKY DAY," supporting IMD, which promoted running in the mountains, leaving no trace behind.  

In Colombia, at the Encuentro de Montaña Marulanda, mountain experts and enthusiasts discussed the importance of mountains and the importance of their protection.  

A virtual event in Ecuador brought together young people from different mountain ranges worldwide. This event was organized by CONDESAN.  

In Miraflores, Peru, the Inkafest mountain film festival took place.  

In the United States of America, events included a gathering of mountain enthusiasts in Leavenworth, Washington. The California Institute of Environmental Design & Management (CIEDM) in Arcadia held online events to raise awareness for IMD. 

Venezuela held a series of events in Mérida, including a mass in commemoration of the anniversary of Sierra La Culata National Park. 

For a full list of events, visit the IMD website. 

Check out photos from IMD events around the world.