2025 International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation

The United Nations designated 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. Additionally, starting in 2025, March 21 will be celebrated annually as the World Day for Glaciers. This initiative aims to increase global awareness about the essential role of glaciers, snow, and ice in the climate system and the hydrological cycle. It also highlights the economic, social, and environmental impacts of the impending changes in the Earth’s cryosphere.
The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation is co-chaired by UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). WMO and UNESCO have already announced the official launch of the 2025 International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, which will take place as a hybrid event on January 21, at WMO Headquarters, Geneva Switzerland, and mark the beginning of a global campaign dedicated to protecting glaciers and addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change. The launch event will feature a high-level session along with a series of online side events designed to raise awareness, stimulate action, and attract funding.
Member States, partners, and stakeholders can host local side events as part of this global initiative. These events can be customized to address regional and local priorities, ensuring diverse and meaningful contributions to glacier preservation efforts.
For details on agenda and registration please keep an eye out on the UN Glaciers homepage.
Other events will be held on March 21, at the UN Headquarters in New York, as well as on March 20-21, at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, to celebrate the first World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day. With glaciers melting at record rates, this joint celebration will underscore the importance of glaciers as “water towers of the world” for billions of people who rely on them. The 2025 global campaign for World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day will emphasize the various impacts of glacier changes on downstream communities and ecosystems, as well as the need to develop water-related adaptation strategies.
The event will also mark the release of the 2025 World Water Development Report, titled “High Mountains and Glaciers.” This report highlights the crucial role of glaciers in sustaining water supplies and maintaining ecosystem stability. It provides data-driven insights to guide sustainable water management and adaptation strategies for communities around the world.
The United Nations agencies in charge of the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation have drawn up a dozen key messages, highlighting the importance of glaciers worldwide. You can read them here.
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