Mountain regions cover about a quarter of the Earth’s land surface and are home to a quarter of the world’s population. They are important sources of freshwater and centres of biological and cultural diversity. Rising global temperatures are causing unprecedented changes and are accompanied by an increased risk of disasters.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is, therefore, convening a High Mountain Summit to foster high-level dialogue and engage decision-makers and local actors to develop a roadmap to science-based, user-driven knowledge and information systems supporting sustainable development and risk reduction in mountain and downstream regions.
The Summit aims to identify priority actions and address the effects of climate changes observed in high mountain cryosphere, and their impacts on downstream ecosystems, communities, and water resources.
A limited number of high relevance projects based on existing initiatives will also be identified to be pursued as part of the roadmap, with support from the engaged participants.
The Summit will take into account the needs of WMO Members regarding the monitoring and reporting on targets within the Sendai Framework, Paris Agreement, the 2030 Agenda, and the Sustainable Development Goals. In the broader context, it will contribute to the Framework for Action for Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Mountains (2017) approved by Mountain Partnership members, and the International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development (2018–2028).
VENUE:
Geneva, Switzerland
29-31 October 2019
Original source: WMO
Published on 21 August 2019
