The High Summit Conference 2013 aims at presenting the state of the art of current knowledge on the mountain ecosystem from a scientific and socio-economic points of view. The participation of high-level speakers moderating the various round tables will facilitate discussions among the experts and the conference audience. At the end of the two working days, a document will be produced, summarizing the main outcomes of the meeting. Results will be presented at the next COP19 in Warsaw, where Ev-K2-CNR will promote a side event dedicated to the role of mountain resources and related ecosystem services which need to be prioritized in the international context of the promotion of sustainable development under the impact of climate changes.