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International Mountain Day 2023: 'Restoring Mountain Ecosystems'

11 December 2023, Video Message by Dr. QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on the International Mountain Day 2023 - High-Level Event: 'Restoring Mountain Ecosystems'.

Language English

Duration 3m12s

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Video Type Video Message

Date 12/11/2023 12:00 AM

File size 351.82 MB

Unique ID UF16CWW

Production details and shotlist

UNFAO Source FAO Video

Script International Mountain Day 2023
High-Level Event: Restoring Mountain Ecosystems
Video Message
From
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
11 December 2023
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Mountain Friends,
1. Welcome to the annual celebration of International Mountain Day.
2. This year’s theme “Restoring Mountain Ecosystems” highlights how mountains are vital
to life.
3. Healthy mountains mean greater biodiversity, food security and high-quality global
freshwater supplies.
4. Healthy mountains can protect and help us adapt to the impacts of the climate crisis.
5. But snow cover, glaciers and permafrost in mountain areas are projected to continue to
decline in almost all regions, with implications on water supply in the lowlands.
6. And the increasing ecosystem degradation is not just a nature crisis – it is a food security
crisis.
7. Approximately 311 million rural mountain people in developing countries live in areas
exposed to progressive land degradation.
8. Most are farmers and pastoralists, many are women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples,
and 178 million of them are vulnerable to food insecurity.
9. Today’s event is an opportunity for COP28 to reflect on how we can turn the tide on the
climate crisis by restoring mountain ecosystems.
10. From integrated land, soil and water management, to sustainable forest management
and reforestation, mountain ecosystem restoration enhances environmental health,
regenerates biodiversity, prevents erosion and disasters, sustains production systems,
builds resilience of local communities’ resilience, and creates new jobs in rural
economies.
Dear Friends,
11. The good news is that mountain green cover has remained stable at about 78% - and to
ensure we maintain this trend we need to continue working together through collective
concrete actions.
12. Including through the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions
2023-27, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly.

13. I invite all partners – including government, public and private sector, CSOs, local
communities and individuals - to join hands in a renewed commitment to restoring our
mountains and including mountain regions in the political agenda.
14. Let us commit to implementing innovative solutions, investing in sustainable practices,
and empowering local communities to be the guardians of our mountain environments.
15. For people, planet, and prosperity.
16. Thank you.

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