16 July 2019: An event on the sidelines of the 2019 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) addressed the need to enhance climate actions in mountainous regions. The event stressed that restoring mountain ecosystems, adopting climate-sensitive agricultural practices, reducing mountain people’s exposure to climate risks and strengthening their adaptive capacity are necessary to achieve, among others, SDGs 1 (no poverty), 2 (zero hunger), 6 (clean water and sanitation), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 10 (reduced inequalities) and 13 (climate action).

The 16 July event titled, ‘Building Climate Actions in Mountains,’ was presented by the Principality of Andorra, Switzerland and the Mountain Partnership, which is hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and currently has 370 members, including 60 governments.

Participants advocated for pro-mountain climate change adaptation policies, discussed the Framework for Action for implementing mountains in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and sought to help build alliances and improve data to promote the role of mountains “as the world’s water towers.”

Increasing dialogue with mountain communities will help ensure that sustainable development projects provide long-term benefits for local communities.

Yoko Watanabe, Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP), UN Development Programme (UNDP), underscored that increasing dialogue with mountain communities will help ensure that sustainable development projects provide long-term benefits for local communities.

Paul Egerton, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), advocated for further inclusion of mountains in the SDG discussions, and announced that the WMO will host the High Mountain Summit in October 2019.

Speakers also, inter alia: called for increased international cooperation to reverse the impacts of climate change in mountains, given that mountain degradation is compromising the livelihoods of vulnerable populations; proposed establishing a Friends of Mountainous Countries group to join forces; suggested using agroforestry, as well as the combination of innovation and traditional knowledge, to promote sustainable mountains; called for more “mountain visibility” in international debates; and urged countries to support funding to address the challenge of climate change in mountains.

IISD Reporting Services is covering selected side events during the 2019 HLPF. [IISD RS Coverage of the Side Event on Building Climate Action in Mountains] [Mountain Partnership Website]