Coordinating organization: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Established: 2002 Members: Over 500 members including governments, international organizations, NGOs, academic institutions, and the private sector Scope: Global, including Central Asia (e.g., Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan)
The Mountain Partnership is a voluntary alliance facilitated by FAO that works to promote sustainable development in mountain regions and improve the livelihoods of mountain peoples. Mountains provide essential ecosystem services, including biodiversity, freshwater, and climate regulation, but mountain communities often face challenges such as poverty, land degradation, and vulnerability to climate change.
The Partnership serves as a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and joint action. It actively engages with mountain regions in Central Asia, where communities rely on fragile ecosystems and traditional livelihoods, and where there is growing demand for integrated approaches to development.
Main Activities
Sharing best practices and technical knowledge related to sustainable mountain development
Implementing joint projects on climate adaptation, agrobiodiversity, and mountain product value chains
Coordinating advocacy campaigns such as International Mountain Day (11 December)
Facilitating inclusive policy dialogues and regional collaboration
Relevance to Central Asia
In Central Asia, where mountain ranges such as the Tien Shan and Pamirs dominate the landscape, the Mountain Partnership helps mobilize support for sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation, and the resilience of local communities. The initiative fosters stronger cooperation among governments, civil society, and international partners in addressing shared mountain development challenges.
