Over 150 delegates from 45+ countries gather March 26-28 to discuss sustainable tourism, climate resilience,

Around 150 delegates from more than 45 countries, including Germany, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Dominican Republic, Italy, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Cameroon, Switzerland and the Solomon Islands, are set to attend the 7th global meeting of the Mountain Partnership in Andorra from March 26 to 28 at Hotel Yomo Cèntric.

Government officials outlined the event's significance at a press conference on Tuesday. Environment, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Guillem Casal, Foreign Affairs Minister Imma Tor, and Ambassador for Cross-Border Cooperation Noelia Souque presented it as the alliance's final major global forum before the 2030 UN sustainable development goals deadline. Organised every four years by the UN-established Mountain Partnership—which brings together over 700 members from governments, organisations and civil society—the gathering carries the theme "Mountains for the Future: Responsible Tourism and Prosperous Communities."

Tor noted that hosting the event positions Andorra's Pyrenees at the heart of international mountain agendas while bolstering global commitment to areas facing climate vulnerability, rural depopulation and the demands of sustainable human activity. Casal emphasised the value of exchanging governance insights to develop practical measures for mountain resilience. He cited Andorra's initiatives, including 22 species recovery plans unveiled recently, the FAO's 2023 SIPAM certification recognising its agri-food system for sustainable practices tied to cultural heritage and rural tourism, and a pledge to safeguard 30% of its land by 2030—currently nearing 15%, with a planned natural park spanning Canillo and Ordino poised to double protected areas ahead of target.

The agenda includes plenary sessions, high-level roundtables and panels across five core areas: climate adaptation, ecosystem protection and restoration, sustainable tourism, financing mountain development, and bolstering local communities. Side events will cover youth involvement and mountain agriculture to share best practices. A highlight will be adoption of the Andorra Declaration, outlining cooperation priorities for mountain sustainability and elevating their role in global talks on climate, biodiversity and development. Officials said a draft is still under review among participants.

Attendees comprise ministers, vice-ministers and state secretaries, plus experts and representatives from the FAO, UN Tourism, UNESCO, OSCE, UNEP, UNDP and UNFCCC secretariat. Running alongside are a ministerial conference on environmental security and mountain resilience, and a UNESCO exhibition titled "Mountains for the Future" focused on responsible tourism in upland regions. The prior edition occurred in Aspen, USA.