Message of Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif on International Mountain Day 2024

Message of Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif on International Mountain Day 2024

11 December, 2024

Today, on International Mountain Day, we join the global community, in recognition of the significance of mountains to our home planet and to the millions of people whose lives are intrinsically intertwined with these majestic landscapes.

Our beloved country has been blessed with not one, but dozens of peaks, some frozen in time, others bursting with the fruits of eternal spring. This land is home to eight of the sixteen highest mountain peaks in the world, including the iconic K-2; the world's second highest, and Nanga Parbat; the ninth highest peak, along with over 7,000 glaciers, making it the largest repository of ice outside the polar regions.

Mountains, often called the "water towers" of the world, are the source of essential resources such as freshwater, and clean air yet they face mounting challenges from climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable practices.

This year's theme "Mountain solutions for a sustainable future - innovation, adaptation, youth and beyond," is a reminder of the importance of collaborative efforts, innovation, respect for indigenous wisdom and the active involvement of youth in finding sustainable solutions for mountain conservation.

Pakistan has been dedicated to this cause for decades, from the National Mountain Conservation Strategy to Promotion of Eco-Tourism and stringent focus on Sustainable Development Goals. Through innovative climate solutions such as Early Warning Systems, bio-engineering techniques to prevent land degradation, and durable flood protection infrastructure, we
are building safe, secure, and climate-resilient communities in the rich mountainous terrains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan such that our communities remain
safe, secure and thriving.

As custodians of some of the most awe-inspiring mountains in the world, let us reaffirm our resolve to protect their natural environment, preserve their beauty for our future generations.