The year-long campaign will address urgent challenges posed by accelerated glacier melt and aims to mobilize science, politics, and civil society.

Key initiatives of the campaign include expanding glacier monitoring systems, developing early warning systems for glacier-related hazards, promoting sustainable water management, and engaging youth in preservation efforts.

On January 21, 2025, UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) launched the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation to protect glaciers that provide freshwater to over two billion people.

This initiative, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly, aims to raise global awareness about the critical role of glaciers in the climate system and hydrological cycle, especially as they face accelerated melting due to climate change.

Global warming is causing glaciers worldwide to disappear, threatening essential water resources for billions.

Melting glaciers pose immediate hazards, such as landslides and floods, alongside long-term threats to water supply security.

John Pomeroy, co-chair of the Advisory Board, emphasized that glaciers are crucial for maintaining water supplies for agriculture, energy, and drinking water.

According to the WMO, glaciers store about 70% of the world's freshwater, which is vital for drinking and irrigation.

Glaciers play a critical role in ecosystems by gradually releasing stored water, supporting rivers, lakes, and groundwater, but climate change is disrupting this balance.

Regions outside Europe, such as the Himalayas, Andes, and Rocky Mountains, are heavily affected by glacier loss, risking water supply for millions dependent on rivers like the Ganges and Mekong.

In 2023, glaciers experienced their largest mass loss in five decades, marking a significant trend of decline.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo noted that 2024 was the warmest year on record, with unprecedented glacier mass loss impacting long-term water security.