Advocacy & Governance

The Instituto de Montaña continues to advocate for policies that promote a sustainable mountain development agenda while conserving mountain environments. We have organized informative and influential events at a number of international policy forums including the United Nations Climate Summits in Lima, Peru (COP 20) at COP 21 in Paris, France, COP 22 in Marrakesh, Morocco and COP 23 in Bonn, Germany. These and other high-level, international conferences are unique opportunities to create awareness of the importance of mountains and the need for global-level policy that promotes solutions in underserved mountain regions. Topics covered by IdM staff at international forums range from disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, rural poverty and food insecurity in mountains and gender equality in sustainable development. Our advocacy and outreach on behalf of mountain people also includes op-eds, blogs and public talks. Here’s a good example: “These indigenous communities are models for how to adapt to climate change.”“

The Institute de Montaña is playing an active role to ensure that mountain peoples, cultures and ecosystems are recognized in the global, sustainable development policy agenda. We are proud to be members of The Mountain Partnership. This Partnership is a United Nations voluntary alliance of over 400 governments, intergovernmental organizations, major groups (e.g. civil society, NGOs and the private sector) and subnational authorities. MP members work together to address threats, improve quality of life and sustain healthy environments in the world’s mountain regions. The Partnership has become an influential voice for mountains and has been able to focus attention on mountain issues as the United Nations developed it’s global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Click here for our most recent statement presented at the United Nations‘ 55th Session of the Commission for Social Development. Learn more about our call for a permanent, official UN entity to insure mountains have a voice.

The Instituto de Montaña is proud to partner and collaborate with innovative organizations worldwide who are focused on addressing mountain challenges and advocating for needed change. Based on decades of work in the Andes, we enjoy trusted and productive relationships with governments of the Andean region. The Instituto has also met with the government missions of mountainous countries beyond the Andes to identify global policy partners. Each year we add key institutions and professional communities to our network of partners.