Atrium, FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy

Join the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Mountain Partnership Secretariat at an event in the FAO atrium to celebrate International Mountain Day.

The event will feature prominent speakers and a dynamic set of activities that bring together global leaders, experts, mountain community representatives and change makers.

The FAO Atrium will be transformed into a mountain village, offering visitors an immersive experience that showcases the diverse innovations and solutions of mountain communities, as well as a food and coffee tasting with products from Italian mountain regions in collaboration with Slow Food, the Mountain Future Award 2024 ceremony, and a traditional Guatemalan dance performance.

A video and publication on innovative mountain solutions will also be launched to mark the Day.

Provisional Programme

11.00 – 16.00 “Montagna Madre – Mother Mountain” mountain food tasting 

Mountain food and coffee tasting showcasing the culinary heritage and biodiversity of Italian mountain regions in collaboration with Slow Food, the Botanical Garden of Rome and the Mountain Partnership  

• Giorgio Grussu, Project Coordinator, Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS), FAO (moderator) 
• Barbara Nappini, President, Slow Food Italy 
• Fabio Attorre, Director, Botanical Garden of Rome 

12.00 – 12.30 Opening and Mountain Future Award (MFA) ceremony   

• Opening remarks and moderation
  • Rosalaura Romeo, Coordinator, MPS, FAO
• Keynote remarks
  • QU Dongyu, Director-General, FAO (video message)
  • H.E. Bruno Archi, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Italy to FAO
  • H.E. Taalai Bazarbaev, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to FAO
• Mountain Future Award 2024 ceremony
  • Sara Manuelli, Advocacy and Outreach Officer, MPS, FAO (moderator)
  • Three award prizes will be presented by fashion designer and MP Goodwill Ambassador Stella Jean in the categories of innovation, adaptation and youth.
  • Award sponsors:
    • Arjun Gutpa, Arjun Gupta Community Foundation
    • Ornella Badery, Association Forte di Bard, Aosta Valley
    • Fabio Attorre, Director, Botanical Garden of Rome 

12.30 – 13.00 When ethical fashion meets mountain women’s cultural heritage  

• Welcoming remarks and moderation
  • Giorgio Grussu, Project Coordinator, MPS, FAO 
• Video on ethical fashion project in Guatemala  
• Remarks
  • H.E. Olga Marìa Pérez Tuna, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Guatemala to FAO
  • Alessandra Di Pippo, Head of Office II, DGCS, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
  • Vivia Ferragamo, Fashion Designer  
    
• Closing remarks and Guatemalan dance and music performance by “IK Guatemala” group
  • Rosalaura Romeo, Coordinator, MPS, FAO 

15.00 – 16.30 Mountain solutions for a sustainable future

• Interactive demonstrations by the winners of the MFA in the categories of innovation, youth and adaptation.
  • Stefania Corrado, Communication and Advocacy Expert, MPS, FAO (moderator)

Questions or comments? Contact the event coordinators at Info-IMD@fao.org