What Happened
In a landmark move, the UN General Assembly officially designated 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP2025).
This proclamation, supported by UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization, was initiated by Tajikistan in 2022.
A key highlight: the International Conference on Glacier Preservation, held from May 29 to June 1 in Dushanbe, resulted in the adoption of the Dushanbe Glacier Declaration.
What Is Good About It
- Elevated awareness: The initiative shines a global spotlight on the importance of glaciers—vital reservoirs holding 70% of Earth’s freshwater—for countless mountain and downstream communities.
- Concrete action plan: The Dushanbe Declaration calls for a comprehensive glacier inventory, integration of climate resilience strategies, strengthened scientific cooperation, and expanded climate financing.
- Global coordination: It unites governments, NGOs, scientific institutions, and local communities in mountain regions, fostering a collaborative approach to glacier preservation.
Why It Leads to Positivity
- Water security boost: Glaciers feed daily water needs, agricultural systems, and hydropower—preserving them safeguards these essential services.
- Climate change resilience: Protecting glaciers helps mitigate impacts like rising sea levels, preserving ecosystems for future generations.
- Empowers vulnerable regions: The initiative champions mountain communities—often overlooked—by bringing them into policy-making and support networks.
- Symbol of unity: This designation transcends politics, demonstrating how global collaboration can tackle environmental crises with both urgency and optimism.
