International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation – official launch event

Background

The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 will be officially launched on 21 January 2025. The launch event will include a high-level session and a series of online side events aiming to raise awareness, to stimulate action and to attract funding.

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 the 21st of March of each year as the World Day for Glaciers starting in 2025. This initiative seeks to raise global awareness on the critical role of glaciers, snow and ice in the climate system and the economic, social and environmental impacts of the impending changes in the Earth’s cryosphere.

UNESCO and WMO in close collaboration with many partners are co-coordinating the implementation of the 2025 IYGP, which aims to engage policymakers, scientists, civil society, and the public in a year-long campaign to spotlight the urgent need for glaciers preservation. As glaciers continue to melt at unprecedented rates, the 2025 IYGP will promote research, policy advancements, and action on glacier-related climate adaptation. 

This launch event will begin with a high-level “curtain-raiser” co-organized by WMO and UNESCO with support from Tajikistan and France, followed by a series of online events as part of the main program. Participation is possible both on-site (WMO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland) and online. Registration is free and open to everyone. 

Agenda and Register

The Launch event will feature a high-level “curtain-raiser”, co-organized by WMO and UNESCO with the support of Tajikistan and France. This segment will mark the official launch of the 2025 International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, followed by the main program, which includes a series of online 1-hour events accessible globally.