Kathmandu, January 20, 2025
In a bid to underscore the global climate emergency, the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP). This landmark decision is a call to action to protect the planet's critical ice reserves, which sustain billions of lives globally and are under imminent threat from climate change.
The announcement comes at a pivotal time, with alarming reports highlighting the rapid retreat of glaciers worldwide. In 2019, Iceland marked the loss of its Okjökull glacier with a solemn plaque, warning of the impending danger glaciers face globally. The same year, ICIMOD’s Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment Report revealed a stark reality: up to 36% of the Himalayan glaciers could vanish by the end of this century if global warming persists unabated.
The Significance of Glaciers: A Third Pole Perspective
The glaciers of the Hindu Kush Himalaya, often referred to as the "Third Pole" due to their vast ice reserves, play a vital role in sustaining life and ecosystems. Meltwater from these glaciers directly supports the livelihoods of 240 million people in the region and sustains nearly 1.9 billion individuals downstream. Beyond these numbers, the melting glaciers feed major rivers across Asia, forming the backbone of agriculture, energy production, and drinking water supplies for countless communities.
A United Front for Action
On January 21, 2025, ICIMOD, in collaboration with UNESCO, UNESCAP, and the Asia-Pacific Water Forum, will host a series of virtual events to amplify awareness and inspire action under the IYGP banner. These sessions, bringing together policymakers, scientists, and environmentalists, aim to foster international collaboration and attract funding to combat glacial melt.
Event Highlights (GMT+5:45):
9:15-10:15: Tackling Glacial Melt and Water Challenges in the Hindu Kush Himalaya: A Science Diplomacy Approach for Regional Cooperation
11:45-13:15: Decades of Cryosphere Actions in HKH: Moving Towards a Flagship Initiative
13:45-14:45: Glaciers at the Crossroads: Climate Challenges and Responses
These events promise to spotlight the urgency of protecting glaciers and the collective efforts required to address this global challenge.
The Path Ahead
The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation is more than a commemorative gesture; it’s a clarion call for countries worldwide to acknowledge the existential threat posed by climate change. As 2025 begins, the focus will be on translating awareness into tangible action, ensuring the preservation of these frozen lifelines for future generations.
To join the conversation and contribute to this cause, register for the IYGP events here https://buff.ly/3Cr4tId or contact [email protected] for more details.
