International National Mountain Day 2025-December 11

The United Nations (UN) observes International Mountain Day (IMD) on 11 December each year across the world to raise awareness about the significance of mountains and the need for sustainable mountain development.

Theme:

2025 Theme: “Glaciers matter for water, food and livelihoods in mountains and beyond”

Focus: This year’s theme highlights the importance of glacier preservation for agriculture, water security, and mountain community livelihoods.

Background:

Origin: The origin of IMD dates back to 1992, when Chapter 13 of Agenda 21, titled “Managing Fragile Ecosystems: Sustainable Mountain Development”, was adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

International Year of Mountains(IYM): In 2002, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared the year as the IYM to increase global awareness about mountain ecosystems.

Official Designation: In 2003, the UNGA officially designated 11 December as IMD, making it an annual international observance.

First Observance: The first observance of IMD took place on December 11, 2003.

Coordinating Agency: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) serves as the nodal UN agency responsible for overseeing the global observance of IMD.

Logo of IMD:

Overview: The logo of International Mountain Day consists of three black equilateral triangles representing mountains:

Left triangle: It carries a blue diamond shape symbolizing snow and glaciers.

Middle triangle: It contains an orange circle representing mineral and natural resources.

Right triangle: It includes a green section showing crops and forest vegetation

Global Initiatives for Mountain Development:

Mountain Partnership: The Mountain Partnership is a global initiative launched in 2002 by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to promote sustainable development in mountain regions.

Five Years of Action for Mountain Regions: The UNGA adopted resolution A/RES/77/172, proclaiming 2023–2027 as the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions to raise global awareness of mountain challenges and drive initiatives addressing their development issues.

Festival: The Reading Mountains Festival was celebrated on December 11, 2025, to coincide with IMD, organized by the Alpine Convention across the Alps.

World’s Top 3 Highest Mountains:

Mount Everest:  8,849 meters(m) in height, located between the Nepal and China border and is the highest mountain in the world.

K2: 8611 m in height, located between Pakistan and China border and is the second highest mountain.

Kangchenjunga: 8586 m in height, located between Nepal and India border and is the third highest mountain.