MESSAGE: INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN DAY 2008

Today is 11 December. Our ifop do observe the International Mountain Day as a mark of respect to all highlanders, mountain lovers and the UNO. It is our rare opportunity to create a message about the importance of mountains to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build partnerships that will bring positive change to the world's mountains and highlands.

It was the UN General Assembly who designated 11 December, from 2003 onwards, as 'International Mountain Day'. This decision results from the success of the UN International Year of Mountains in 2002, which increased global awareness of the importance of mountains, stimulated the establishment of national committees in 78 countries and strengthened alliances through promoting the creation of the International Partnership for Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions, known as the 'Mountain Partnership (WSSD, Johannesburg, 2 September 2002). FAO was the designated lead coordinating agency for International Year of Mountains and is mandated to lead observance of International Mountain Day. This is the a brief history of how the Mountain Day came into being on earth with a mandate of the UNO.
Our UNO has been observing the day every year for the last 5 years with a different theme relevant to sustainable mountain development. The theme for the International Mountain Day 2008 is "Food Security in Mountains". Harsh climates and the difficult, often inaccessible, terrain combined with political and social marginality make mountain people vulnerable to food shortages. Now food prices are soaring worldwide and increased transportation costs to Remote Mountain areas mean that mountain communities are paying much more for their food. The problem of hunger in mountains is getting worse.

This year's International Mountain Day provides an apt occasion to reflect on how hard it is for mountain people to consistently get adequate and nutritious food to lead healthy and active lives. It draws attention to the special food security needs of mountain communities that have to be taken into account in the development of mountain-specific strategies and policies.

We have collected the following website for our public awareness: www.fao.org/mnts/intl_mountain_day_en.asp.
For any further information or specific questions related to this year's theme, please contact Claudia Veith (claudia.veith@fao.org) or Paolo Ceci (paolo.ceci@fao.org).
In the follow-up to the International Mountain Day 2008 please do not forget to send a report about the celebrations of the Day in your country or institution to:
José Antonio Prado Director, Forest Management Division Fax: +39-06-57055 137E-mail: mailto:mountain-day@fao.org

Recent studies indicate that mountain populations suffer from high rates of micronutrient deficiencies, which is one of the contributing factors to the significantly higher infant mortality rates in mountain regions. Now food prices are soaring worldwide and increased transportation costs to remote mountain areas mean mountain communities are paying that much more for their food.

It is an apt occasion to reflect on how hard it is for mountain people to consistently get adequate and nutritious food to lead healthy and active lives. Priorities for improving food security in mountains include promoting and expanding traditional mountain crops; safeguarding indigenous land use practices; improving breeding programmes of mountain-adapted livestock; better market access; and mountain-specific public policy, developed with the participation of mountain people.

Let us share our thoughts how to lift up the people living in the mountains for centuries safeguarding our national boundaries. God may bless their children for a brighter future with the help of their national government.

God bless!

Thank you all.

Dr R R Sanabam
President, ifop