The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, emphasizing the urgent need to protect these ice masses. The initiative, led by UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), aims to raise global awareness about glaciers’ role in sustaining ecosystems, regulating climate, and supporting human livelihoods. The rapid melting of glaciers due to climate change severely threatens water security, biodiversity, and disaster resilience, making conservation efforts more crucial than ever.
Glaciers store 70% of the world’s freshwater and provide a lifeline to over two billion people relying on them for drinking water, agriculture, and hydropower. However, the accelerating rate of glacier retreat has disrupted these vital resources. In, 2023 glaciers recorded the highest mass loss in five decades, with all glaciated regions reporting ice depletion. The situation is particularly alarming in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, often called the “Third Pole,” which holds the largest ice reserves outside the polar regions. This region is warming at nearly twice the global average, increasing risks of glacial lake outburst floods and freshwater shortages for almost 240 million people directly reliant on glaciers.
As part of the year-long campaign, governments, scientists, and environmental organizations will work together to improve global glacier monitoring systems, ensuring better data collection and analysis to understand glacier dynamics. Efforts will also focus on developing early warning systems to mitigate glacier-related hazards and implementing sustainable water resource management practices. The preservation of cultural heritage linked to glaciers, including traditional knowledge and sacred sites, will also be a key focus. Engaging youth in climate action and glacier conservation efforts will be another significant aspect of the initiative, fostering long-term commitment toward environmental stewardship.
The official launch of the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation took place at WMO headquarters in Geneva in January 2025, followed by scientific discussions and policy dialogues. Additionally, March 21 has been designated the World Day for Glaciers, marking an annual occasion to reinforce international commitment to glacier protection. By strengthening global cooperation and increasing awareness, this initiative seeks to preserve these vital ice reserves for future generations and address the growing challenges of climate change.