Excerpts from an interview of Ms. Sara Manuelli, Advocacy and Outreach officer, Mountain Partnership Secretariat, Food and Agriculture, Organization of the United Nations (FAO) by Dr. Arvind Kumar, Editor, Focus Global Reporter.
Ms. Sara Manuelli is a Communications and Advocacy Officer with a background in social anthropology and journalism. She is the author of several books and articles published in technical journals and the media, focusing on sustainable mountain development. Since 2008, she has worked at the Mountain Partnership Secretariat at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy, where she develops and implements strategies to raise awareness about mountain regions and their communities.
INTERVIEW
EDITOR: How does Mountain Partnership align its initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 15 (Life on Land)?
MS SARA MANUELLI: The Mountain Partnership (MP) is the only United Nations voluntary alliance dedicated to improving the lives of mountain communities and protecting mountain ecosystems worldwide. Since its inception in 2002, the Secretariat of the Mountain Partnership (MPS) and MP members have been working together to achieve sustainable mountain development. A crucial part of this mission is promoting the sustainable use and management of water.
Mountains are the “water towers” of the world, supplying half of the world’s population with freshwater for drinking, daily needs, irrigation, industry and hydropower. In support of this, the MPS has made an official water commitment under the Water Action Agenda of the UN 2023 Water Conference. This commitment acts as a concrete expression of the MP’s strategy to tackle the unique water challenges faced by mountain communities.
The MP builds upon the expertise and knowledge of its global multistakeholder network, including 68 governments and around 550 major group organizations, to advocate as one voice for mountains in several global agendas such as the UN Rio Conventions, the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions 2023-2027 and the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 (IYGP 2025).
The MPS is currently leading Task Force 1 of the Global Campaign for IYGP 2025, tasked with raising awareness of the critical role glaciers play as water sources in mountain regions and of the urgent need to safeguard them in the face of climate change. The Task Force comprises about 120 experts and advocates who are working to develop and implement the Year’s global communication strategy, which includes crafting key messages, engaging youth and driving social media outreach. The MPS collaborates closely with the World Meteorological Organization, UNESCO and supporting countries to amplify efforts to preserve glaciers and highlight their importance for ecosystems and communities worldwide.
It is crucial to recognize that mountain regions also host many of the world’s most prominent glaciers. These ecosystems sustain biodiversity, provide water security, mitigate climate impacts and support livelihoods. Preserving these fragile environments contributes directly to achieving SDG 6 and 15. Additionally, SDG 15.4 is directly concerned with the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity and the vital services they provide.
EDITOR: What strategies does Mountain Partnership employ to address the unique water challenges faced by mountain communities, especially in the context of climate change?
MS SARA MANUELLI: Given the importance of mountain water resources worldwide, careful management of mountain water resources is a priority of the MP and as a result, MP activities directly or indirectly advocate for mountain freshwater systems.
The MP also works within the framework of the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions 2023-2027 – which is an opportunity to scale up coordinated efforts, mobilize resources and ensure collaboration among stakeholders to build the resilience of mountain communities, not only in light of water-related climate threats, but on a broader scale as well. The MPS has developed a Global Framework for Action that includes pathways for action, one of which specifically targets scaling up ecosystem-based solutions for water management in mountain regions, considering upstream-downstream linkages.
The MP is also implementing several on-the-ground projects to enhance the livelihoods of mountain communities and simultaneously protect their environments. Through a combination of grants, technical assistance and capacity development, these projects enhance mountain economies while preserving agrobiodiversity, mountain ecosystems, livelihoods and cultural heritage.
Projects like the Business Incubator and Accelerator for Mountains and Islands support local entrepreneurship, while the Coalition of Fragile Ecosystems advocates for sustainable management of vulnerable landscapes. Fashion for Fragile Ecosystems connects artisans with ethical fashion markets.
Through the Mountain Partnership Products (MPP) Initiative strengthens the resilience of mountain producers, their economies and their ecosystems, while natural resources are safeguarded through the efforts of the project, Sustainable management of natural resources in mountain areas.
EDITOR: Can you elaborate on any specific projects or initiatives that Mountain Partnership is currently undertaking to promote sustainable water management in mountain regions?
MS SARA MANUELLI: Launched in 2021, the “Enhancing community resilience to climate change in mountain watersheds“ initiative is an example of a project that promotes sustainable water management. Funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, activities for this project are being implemented in Peru and the Philippines, and a series of publications were launched during this initiative. This initiative improves water management and better equips communities to address watershed risks while promoting sustainable agricultural value chains to improve local livelihoods.
One of our core pillars is knowledge sharing, and our publications are important for sharing solutions and presenting research on mountain issues. In 2023, the MPS published a sourcebook, Building resilience into watersheds, which looks at risk reduction and management practices of watersheds. Many MP members work on sustainable water management, and in our International Mountain Day 2024 publication Promoting innovation and tradition: solutions for climate change adaptation in mountains, we highlight water management as adaptation methods. In this publication, members presented solutions to water management issues, such as Zing and Kul systems in the Himalayas, the construction of dams to ensure irrigation in Morocco and artificial glaciers which improved water access in Kyrgyzstan.
EDITOR: How does Mountain Partnership engage with local mountain communities to ensure their participation in decision-making processes related to natural resource management?
MS SARA MANUELLI: The MP emphasizes participatory approaches that place communities at the centre of decision-making. It supports initiatives that build local ownership and respect traditional knowledge systems, as this is more effective and long-lasting.
For example, in the project Sustainable management of mountain natural resources, the MP promotes inclusive processes where community members are actively involved in planning and managing natural resources in that area. By engaging local stakeholders directly, the MP helps to ensure that natural resource management strategies are both effective and culturally appropriate, while strengthening the resilience and rights of mountain communities.
EDITOR: What role does gender equity play in Mountain Partnership’s approach to sustainable mountain development?
MS SARA MANUELLI: Recognizing that women play a critical role in managing natural resources, especially as men frequently out-migrate from mountain areas, the MP actively works to strengthen women’s participation in decision-making processes and resource governance. However, women’s adaptive capacities are often constrained by institutional barriers and cultural norms, increasing their vulnerability to natural hazards and climate-induced disasters. For these reasons, the MP seeks to empower women in its activities, ensuring that women are included to make tangible change.
Our ongoing project, Fashion for Fragile Ecosystems brings together artists and artisans from some of the most remote mountain regions with international fashion brands to create meaningful and lasting change through the equal exchange of skills, traditional knowledge and cultural heritage. Each collaboration pairs an international fashion designer with a group of local artists and artisans to co-design a contemporary collection rooted in local traditions and cultural identity.
In the latest collaboration, the initiative focused on Guatemalan cultural heritage, with a collaboration between Italian fashion designer, Vivia Ferragamo and Wakami, a social enterprise dedicated to uplifting rural communities in Guatemala, and they worked hand-in-hand in 2024 to co-design a contemporary collection inspired by their local traditions, knowledge and culture. See the video and story about this collaboration.
The initiative provides technical training, financial support and market access to local women, thereby contributing to gender empowerment and economic inclusion. The results are showcased through dedicated events and communication campaigns, with each collection brought to life by the partnering fashion brand and launched on the international stage.
EDITOR: What measures does Mountain Partnership take to protect and preserve mountain ecosystems while ensuring sustainability for communities?
MS SARA MANUELLI: The MP promotes ecosystem-based solutions, such as sustainable land use, agroecology and community-led management, which safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem services. It also supports livelihood diversification, helping mountain communities build resilience without overexploiting natural resources. Each project and initiative are carefully planned to ensure that the ecosystems are protected and used sustainably.
For example, the Business Incubator and Accelerator for Mountains and Islands and Mountain Partnership Products Initiative projects both empower communities through supporting local economies and livelihoods while preserving biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
EDITOR: Can you share any success stories or best practices from Mountain Partnership’s work that have significantly improved mountain regions?
MS SARA MANUELLI: The MP’s BIA programme, which supports entrepreneurship in mountain regions by combining grants, technical assistance and capacity development, has supported over 37 000 farmers and producers in the incubation phase and more than 20 000 in the acceleration phase, 50 percent of whom were women, strengthening gender equity across mountain communities.
The BIA has helped 107 producer organizations improve their practices and market access, with 47 percent establishing new market connections and 27 percent implementing new marketing strategies. 83 percent of participating organizations have also introduced measures to increase women’s participation in decision-making, and participants have reported an average production increase of 36 percent.
Now active in ten countries, the BIA programme reflects our mission to drive lasting change in mountain areas by promoting sustainable land management, strengthening economic resilience and ensuring inclusive development for all, especially those often left behind.
EDITOR: How does Mountain Partnership advocate for the inclusion of mountain-specific issues in international policy discussions and negotiations related to climate change?
MS SARA MANUELLI: The MP advocates for mainstreaming mountains in global policy processes and high-level advocacy campaigns. This includes participation in key fora such as the UNFCCC Conferences of the Parties (COPs), the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the recent Expert Dialogue on Mountains and Climate Change on 5 June 2024. Through these platforms, the MP works to raise awareness about the critical role of mountain ecosystems and communities in climate resilience and water security.
The MP also leverages global initiatives like the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions (2023–2027) to mobilize political will and promote coordinated action for sustainable mountain development. Knowledge based products such as technical publications and policy briefs further inform the advocacy work of the MP, fostering the science-policy nexus.
EDITOR: What opportunities do you see for enhancing cooperation between Mountain Partnership and organizations in India to address sustainable mountain development challenges in the Himalayan region?
MS SARA MANUELLI: The MP has a strong presence of over 30 India-based members, including the Government of India and a close collaboration with ICIMOD. Many of these organizations are actively working on projects and initiatives that advance sustainable mountain development in the region. The MP is keen to strengthen its relationship with these members, to scale up initiatives and advance the global mountain agenda.
EDITOR: Please share some specific examples of projects working on to promote sustainable mountain development in India.
MS SARA MANUELLI: As part of International Mountain Day 2024, the MPS launched the Mountain Future Award (MFA) to spotlight projects for sustainable mountain development, within the categories of innovation, adaptation and youth. The winner for the category of adaptation was Acres of Ice, a startup based in the Ladakh region, which, through the creation of artificial glaciers and a remote monitoring system, has improved water security in the local area. With the Mountain Future Award 2024 seed funding, Acres of Ice has launched a fellowship program that will bring an engineer onto the team to support the implementation of their project.
The MPP Initiative is a global labelling and certification scheme designed to strengthen the resilience of mountain communities, economies, and ecosystems by promoting sustainable, high-quality value chains. While the initiative operates across several countries, including India, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Panama, Peru, the Philippines and the Plurinational State of Bolivia, its core idea is to support small-scale producers in remote mountain areas by helping them build trusted, locally appropriate quality assurance systems for their traditional and organic products.
India is one of the most active participants, with 10 products currently bearing the Mountain Partnership Products label, ranging from spices to grains and honey—each rooted in traditional knowledge and sustainable practices.
In 2023, Last Forest, a social enterprise based in India, joined the MP’s Mountain Facility programme. The company, which works closely with Indigenous communities in the Nilgiris, has made major strides in market development, especially in expanding sales of its sustainably harvested honey. Thanks to targeted investments, they’ve seen a remarkable 32.5 percent return on investment, which kickstarted a new phase of growth. Together with Aadhimalai Producer Company, they also led quality assurance training sessions focused on product innovation, sustainability and quality control, which were all tailored to the unique context of the Nilgiri mountains. One of the achievements has been the implementation of a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS Wild) to certify the sustainable collection of wild non-timber forest products. This initiative not only supports the Irula communities living in the Pillur forest ranges, but it’s also an applicable model that could have nationwide significance for certifying sustainable forest practices.
