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2025 International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation

  • Writer: thierry groell
    thierry groell
  • Apr 28
  • 2 min read

Glaciers are crucial for regulating the global climate and providing freshwater, essential for billions of people. However, due to climate change, driven mainly by human activities since the 1800s, these vital resources are rapidly melting. The United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation to highlight the importance of glaciers and ensure that those relying on them, and those affected by cryospheric processes, receive the necessary hydrological, meteorological, and climate services. These efforts underscore the critical role mountain regions play as a key source of global freshwater and ecosystem services.
Glaciers are crucial for regulating the global climate and providing freshwater, essential for billions of people. However, due to climate change, driven mainly by human activities since the 1800s, these vital resources are rapidly melting. The United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation to highlight the importance of glaciers and ensure that those relying on them, and those affected by cryospheric processes, receive the necessary hydrological, meteorological, and climate services. These efforts underscore the critical role mountain regions play as a key source of global freshwater and ecosystem services.
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Background

In December 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution to declare 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, accompanied by the proclamation of March 21st of each year as the World Day for Glaciers starting in 2025.

Last update:7 January 2025

The International Year and World Day for Glaciers aim to raise global awareness about the critical role of glaciers, snow and ice in the climate system and the hydrological cycle, and the economic, social and environmental impacts of the impending changes in the Earth’s cryosphere, as well as to share best practices and knowledge in this regard and in addressing issues related to accelerated melting of glaciers and its consequences.

Discover the Resolution

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 14 December 2022.

UNESCO and WMO, in collaboration with governments and relevant organizations, are invited to facilitate the implementation of the International Year and World Day as leading agencies. The coordination efforts are supported by an Advisory Board and four Task Forces representing over 75 international organizations and 35 countries.

The Task Forces are driving the implementation of the key activities outlined for the International Year, ensuring that each initiative aligns with the overall objectives and reaches global impact.

The International Year is fully aligned with the priorities of the IXth Phase of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme and the WMO Strategic Plan 2024-2027.

 
 
 

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