Last December 2021, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution proclaiming 2022 the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development, 20 years after the last International Year of Mountains in 2002. The Assembly acknowledged that, despite the progress that has been made in promoting the sustainable development of mountain regions and the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, the prevalence of poverty, food insecurity, social exclusion, environmental degradation and exposure to the risk of disasters is still increasing. Such a resolution aims to increase awareness of the importance of sustainable mountain development and the conservation and sustainable use of mountain ecosystems.

ALPARC which has been relentlessly working for a sustainable development of the Alps for the last 25 years, welcomes this statement and reaffirms its willingness to increase international cooperation to implement Alps-wide solutions to this overall goal.