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International Mountain Conference 2025 brought together global stakeholders to discuss the power of inclusive, intergenerational partnerships that connect local action and community engagement with global mountain advocacy. It emphasized the role of youth and communities in addressing climate and sustainability challenges in mountain regions.
Image Source: Mountain Partnership
The International Mountain Conference 2025 (IMC 2025) brought together more than 1,200 participants from over 60 countries to advance the global mountain agenda through inclusive, intergenerational collaboration. Discussions underscored how glacier melt is reshaping ecosystems, how youth leadership is driving climate action, and how mountain tourism remains both vulnerable and vital in the sustainability transition.
The session, titled “Grounded in high places: Mountains, people and sustainability in action,” explored how mountain communities are responding to climate change through advocacy, science, policy, and direct action. It emphasized the importance of connecting local initiatives to global processes such as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 and the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions 2023-2027.
A significant focus was on youth leadership, highlighting the need to distinguish mountain youth from the broader youth category, as their lived experiences are shaped by geographic isolation, limited access to education and employment, lack of infrastructure, and limited digital connectivity. These challenges make it harder for their voices to be heard and limit their access to better opportunities. The conference called for greater recognition and support to enable meaningful youth participation in decision-making.
Reference: Gupta, Ritikaa (2025). Youth action and collaboration drive dialogue at the International Mountain Conference 2025. Mountain Partnership. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://www.fao.org/mountain-partnership/news/newsroom/news-detail/youth-action-and-collaboration-drive-dialogue-at-the-international-mountain-conference-2025/en
