Background
In December 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution to declare 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and proclaimed March 21st each year, starting in 2025, as World Day for Glaciers. This initiative seeks to raise global awareness of the critical role of glaciers, snow, and ice in the climate system and the economic, social, and environmental impacts of the projected changes to the Earth’s cryosphere. It also aims to stimulate action and attract funding to preserve glaciers, snow, and ice.
To kick off the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP) 2025, a high-level launch event took place on January 21, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, and online. Partner organizations also organized side events. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) held a webinar entitled “Tackling Glacial Melt and Water Challenges in the Hindu Kush Himalaya: A Science Diplomacy Approach for Regional Cooperation” as an official IYGP 2025 side event.
The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region is home to some of the world’s most critical glacier systems. These systems sustain significant rivers like the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus, supporting the livelihoods of over 1.5 billion people. However, climate change, accelerating glacial melt, and the increasing frequency of extreme water events pose severe risks to water security, ecosystems, and regional stability. Practical transboundary cooperation is essential to address these shared challenges and build resilience for the shared river systems.
Aligned with the IYGP 2025 initiative, this side event leveraged global momentum to spotlight innovative, cooperative approaches to securing water resources in the HKH. It addressed the challenges of accelerated glacial melt and climate change through science-based collaboration, sharing actionable strategies, including science-based assessments, nature-based solutions, and policy recommendations. The event highlighted the critical interdependence of the cryosphere, water security, and regional stability, emphasizing the urgent need for regional cooperation on transboundary water management in response to shrinking glaciers, leveraging science diplomacy.
The outcomes of the discussion
Ms. Yumiko Asayama, the Chief Manager of the Japan Water Forum and a representative of the Asia Pacific Water Forum, facilitated the webinar.
Opening Remarks
Dr. Shahbaz Khan, APWF Vice Governing Council Chair and Director of the UNESCO Office in Beijing, emphasized the shared commitment of the APWF, ICIMOD, UNESCO, and UNESCAP to address the critical challenges of glacial melt and water security in the HKH through science diplomacy. He underscored HKH’s vital importance as the “water tower of Asia,” nourishing rivers and ecosystems that support livelihoods and secure futures while expressing concern about the significant threats these glaciers face from climate change. The designation of 2025 as the IYGP presents an unprecedented opportunity to raise global awareness of glaciers’ crucial role in Earth’s climate system and to mobilize concerted action.
Dr. Khan highlighted open science, digital innovation, and community insights as guiding principles, stressing their importance in enriching dialogue and developing science-based strategies for the Decade of Action for Cryosphere Sciences (2025-2034). He characterized this era of open science as a beacon of hope, promising equity, inclusivity, and the integration of scientific understanding into decision-making.
Remarks by Dr Pema Gyamtsho, Director General, ICIMOD
Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD, commenced his remarks by expressing his privilege in partnering with UNESCO, the APWF, and the Japan Water Forum for the event. He highlighted UNESCO’s instrumental role in founding ICIMOD, setting the stage for their ongoing close collaboration.
Dr. Gyamtsho emphasized climate change’s threat to water security in the HKH region, the “water towers of Asia,” supporting nearly 2 billion people. He highlighted the dual challenges of too much/too little water, leading to floods/droughts exacerbated by climate change and unsustainable water use. Alarmingly, many tributaries are drying up, increasing extreme weather events and threatening regional stability.
Dr. Gyamtsho highlighted a critical knowledge gap in glacier monitoring within the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. Of the estimated 54,000 glaciers, only 28 are comprehensively monitored, severely hindering our understanding of their rapid retreat and our ability to respond effectively. This lack of data increases the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and other related disasters. Illustrating the severity of the situation, he noted that only five of the approximately 200 identified potentially dangerous glacial lakes are currently under surveillance.
ICIMOD’s response to these challenges involves enhancing regional capacity, improving early warning systems, and fostering collaboration among member countries to mitigate these risks effectively. The 2025 IYGP offers a key opportunity to bolster glacier monitoring, local capacities, and community-led adaptation.
Keynote speech – Third Pole Under Crisis: Local, regional and global solutions
Dr. Arun Shrestha, Strategic Group Lead at ICIMOD delivered the keynote. He highlighted the escalating challenges posed by cryosphere changes, including glacier, snow, and permafrost decline, impacting water resources, hazard management, and ecosystems. He painted a concerning picture of accelerating glacier volume loss, exacerbated by global warming, threatening water availability, and increasing glacial lake outburst flood risks. Cryosphere changes vary across the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, necessitating targeted responses. These transformations profoundly affect water, energy, agriculture, biodiversity, and local communities’ livelihoods. Extreme weather events, including GLOFs, pose immediate and long-term threats to water security and ecological stability.
Dr. Shrestha advocated multi-scaled solutions, from local initiatives like artificial glaciers and early warning systems to improved climate services and infrastructure development at higher levels. Crucially, he emphasized transboundary and regional cooperation through shared information, joint management, and collaborative research for adequate and equitable resource management. His speech underscored the need to integrate science-based solutions into practical actions.
Panel Discussion:
Dr. Faisal M. Qamer moderated a panel discussion on glacial melt and water challenges in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. Six experts representing key river basins and international bodies explored science diplomacy, regional cooperation, and innovative water management strategies. Drawing on their diverse expertise and regional experiences, the panelists highlighted the interconnected challenges facing the HKH and stressed the urgent need for collaboration to secure the region’s ecological and economic future. The discussion provided a valuable platform to analyze these complex issues and potential solutions.
1. Dr. Muhammad Arif Goheer, Executive Director, Global Climate-Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), Pakistan
Dr. Goheer pointed out that accelerated glacial melt in the HKH region initially increased melt boosts river flows, but this “peak water” is temporary, leading to decreased flows during dry seasons and threatening water availability for agriculture, power, and drinking. Glacial melt also causes geomorphological instability, increasing glacial lake outburst floods and landslides and damaging infrastructure. Ecosystems are affected by altered river flows, threatening biodiversity. Communities face challenges in agriculture and water management, increasing socioeconomic vulnerability. Dr. Goheer emphasized the need for integrated research, policy, and community engagement to develop adaptive strategies for a sustainable future.
2. Dr. Bushra Nishat, Environmental Specialist, World Bank, Bangladesh
Dr. Nishat highlighted how glacial melt impacts downstream countries like Bangladesh, especially during crucial dry seasons. Despite some progress, data sharing and collaborative research remain limited, hindering effective basin management. She advocated for joint modeling efforts, like those in the Mekong and African basins, to improve water management and understand melt impacts on ecosystems and agriculture. Dr. Nishat also stressed collaborative curriculum development to foster regional understanding among future scientists and policymakers. Ultimately, integrated basin management through transboundary cooperation is essential for the HKH region’s water security.
3. Prof. A. P. Dimri, Director, Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, India
Prof. Dimri emphasized collaborative scientific research’s crucial role in enhancing transboundary water cooperation in the disaster-prone HKH region. While research has advanced understanding, gaps remain regarding disaster impacts on the cryosphere. Changing precipitation patterns and elevation-dependent warming affect ecosystems, economies, and water management. The melting permafrost contributes to global warming through methane emissions, while geogenic sedimentation in river basins poses further risks, such as arsenic contamination. Prof. Dimri stressed the need for cross-boundary dialogue and praised organizations like ICIMOD for facilitating research sharing and risk management. He advocated for enhanced early warning systems and improved hydrological models. Ultimately, he called for strengthened regional cooperation through science diplomacy to develop unified policies for sustainable water management and long-term regional resilience.
4. Dr. Anamika Barua, Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India
Dr. Barua advocated for a multi-faceted approach to regional water resource management in the HKH, integrating science, diplomacy, and governance based on equity and mutual benefit. She stressed the need for a permanent dialogue platform respecting individual and collective goals to avoid conflict and address power asymmetries. Continuous scientific research, including socio-economic impacts and disaster risk reduction, is crucial, especially at the basin level. Capacity building for policymakers and water managers encompasses technical and soft skills, such as effective communication and negotiation. These skills are essential for implementing participatory approaches and translating stakeholder consultations into actionable projects. Dr. Barua concluded that robust regional mechanisms require scientific collaboration, institutional capacity, and continuous dialogue facilitated by organizations like UNESCO and ICIMOD to foster inclusive, co-creative processes and build long-term cooperation.
5. Dr. Sanjay Srivastava, Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction, ESCAP
Dr. Srivastava highlighted the transformative role of technology and knowledge platforms in enhancing water climate resilience in the HKH region. He identified three crucial technology clusters: science-based technologies, engineering solutions, and data science/geospatial technologies. He emphasized the need for an integrated tech ecosystem supported by real-time data from cloud infrastructure and specialized data entities. He cited ESCAP’s Risk and Resilience portal as an example of an integrated platform to support risk-informed decisions. Dr. Srivastava stressed building robust partnerships across various domains, citing the Global Earth Observation System of Systems as a successful example. He advocated for a robust partnership platform integrating technology and data, which is crucial for addressing complex, transboundary risks. Immediate steps include policies integrating technology and nature-based solutions, promoting hydrological research, and creating an integrated knowledge platform.
6. Dr. Anil Mishra, Chief of Section, Hydrological Systems, Climate Change and Adaptation, UNESCO
Dr. Mishra highlighted the critical need for enhanced cryosphere research in the HKH region, citing significant knowledge gaps in current IPCC reports. He emphasized the lack of comprehensive glacier assessments and the need for investment in data collection. As the lead agency for the IYGP2025 and the Decade of Action on Cryosphere Sciences, UNESCO will establish working groups focusing on scientific research, socio-economic impacts, and integrating local knowledge. A brainstorming session in Paris will refine strategies for these initiatives. Key milestones include establishing monitoring networks, fostering international research cooperation, and integrating cryosphere data into water management policies. These efforts enhance science diplomacy, build trust, and facilitate collaborative solutions for shared environmental stewardship.
In the second round of the panel discussion, the panelists highlighted various initiatives and proposed strategies for addressing glacial melt in the HKH region.
- Dr. Goheer’s center focuses on climate modeling and hydrological models for water resource management. He proposes integrated strategies involving policy reform, technology advancement (e.g., satellite monitoring), and international cooperation.
- Dr. Nishat’s work at the World Bank supports HKH countries in improving water resource management and climate resilience, including hydro-meteorological services and capacity building.
- Dr. Barua’s research focuses on basin-scale impacts of climate change on water, food, and energy security, promoting collaboration between basin countries and evidence-based policymaking.
- Dr. Srivastava’s work at UNESCAP supports decision-making through initiatives like the Third Pole Regional Climate Network and the Third Pole Climate Outlook Forum, which integrate socio-economic impact modeling.
- Dr. Mishra highlighted UNESCO’s role in enhancing knowledge, capacity development, and translating science into policy, including programs like the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) and the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB). UNESCO promotes research on glacier dynamics, develops educational programs, and supports climate-focused policies. He proposed updating foundational materials on glaciers and prioritizing national science-based assessments of cryosphere systems, emphasizing the risk to World Heritage glaciers.
Closing Remarks by Dr Shahbaz Khan
Dr. Khan summarized the panel discussion, emphasizing the complexity of HKH issues and the need for collaborative, cross-sectoral, and transboundary efforts. He stressed integrating science with social sciences and local/indigenous knowledge. Five key action areas emerged:
1) a multi-sectoral, systems-based approach integrating science and traditional wisdom;
2) strengthening science diplomacy through policy engagement;
3) empowering local and indigenous communities;
4) scaling up nature-based solutions; and
5) investing in monitoring and data integration, including climate modeling, flood forecasting, and AI-driven approaches.
He called for standardized data sharing and an integrated approach focused on resilience, equity, and sustainability.
Program
Webinar Introduction
Ms. Yumiko Asayama, Chief Manager, Japan Water Forum c/o APWF SecretariatOpening Remarks
Dr. Shahbaz Khan, APWF Vice Governing Council Chair c/o Director of the UNESCO Office in Beijing and UNESCO Representative to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia, People’s Republic of China, and the Republic of KoreaRemarks
Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Director General, ICIMODKeynote Presentation
Dr. Arun B. Shrestha, Strategic Group Lead, ICIMODPanel Discussion (Including Q&A)
Panelists:
- Ms. Bushra Nishat, Environmental Specialist, Bangladesh – World Bank
- Dr. Anamika Barua, Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India
- Prof. A. P. Dimri, Director, Indian Institute of Geomagnetism
- Dr. Muhammad Arif Goheer, Executive Director, Global Climate-Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), Pakistan
- Dr Anil Mishra, Chief of Section, Hydrological Systems, Climate Change and Adaptation, Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), Division of Water Sciences, UNESCO
- Dr. Sanjay Srivastava, Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction, ESCAP
Moderator: Dr. Faisal M. Qamer, Intervention Manager, Resilient River Basins, ICIMOD
Closing Remarks: Dr. Shahbaz Khan
(Reported by Yumiko Asayama, Chief Manager )
