19 December 2013: To celebrate International Mountain Day on 11 December 2013, UN organizations hosted an open event in New York City, US, and released a new publication focusing on mountain farming systems.

At the meeting, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the Argentine Mission to the UN brought together participants from more than 30 governments to discuss the need for better legal, social and political instruments to encourage sustainable mountain development.

The publication, ‘Mountain Farming is Family Farming,’ is a contribution to the 2014 International Year of Family Farming and it presents 25 case studies that highlight stresses facing mountain farming, as well as coping strategies. The book, which was published by the FAO with university partners, argues that sustainable mountain development must be adequately reflected in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in the post-2015 development agenda. It calls for secure land tenure, empowerment of women and public investment to promote sustainable family farming. It also highlights the need for greater recognition of ecosystem services from mountain systems. [Mountain Partnership Press Release on Argentina ] [Mountain Partnership Press Release on Publication] [Publication: Mountain Farming is Family Farming] [FAO Press Release]