On December 5, 2024, the 7th meeting (online) of the Task Force 2 (TF-2) of the Advisory Board for Supporting Coordination Efforts to Organize and Conduct the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation 2025 was held. The meeting was attended by the Director of the Central-Asian Regional Glaciological Centre of Category 2 under the auspices of UNESCO Takir Balykbayev and the Head of the International Relations Department of the Central-Asian Regional Glaciological Centre of Category 2 under the auspices of UNESCO Alexandr Yegorov.

As part of the meeting, the official website of the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation 2025 was presented: www.un-glaciers.org

The site provides up-to-date information on planned events and activities, partners and participating organizations, as well as publications and other information resources within the framework of the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation 2025.

Background

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 March 21st of each year as the World Day for Glaciers starting in 2025.

The International Year and World Day for Glaciers aim to raise global awareness about the critical role of glaciers, snow and ice in the climate system and the hydrological cycle, and the economic, social and environmental impacts of the impending changes in the Earth’s cryosphere, as well as to share best practices and knowledge in this regard and in addressing issues related to accelerated melting of glaciers and its consequences.

The coordination efforts are supported by an Advisory Board and four Task Forces representing over 75 international organizations and 35 countries.

The Advisory Board is co-chaired by WMO and UNESCO appointed experts and brings together the Task Force leads together with key representatives from scientific and research institutes, the UN System, partners and other interested stakeholders.

The Task Forces are driving the implementation of the key activities outlined for the International Year, by developing an implementation plan, with clear activities, outputs and outcomes, a timeline and means for implementation. Each Task Force is organized according to the thematic of the key activities:

TF-1: Global Campaign for International Year of Glaciers' Preservation 2025

TF-2: International Conferences, Regional Workshops, and Capacity Building

TF-3: Research and Monitoring Initiative

TF-4: Policy Advocacy, Partnerships, and Resources Mobilization

The Task Forces are driving the implementation of the key activities outlined for the International Year, ensuring that each initiative aligns with the overall objectives and reaches global impact.

The International Year is fully aligned with the priorities of the IXth Phase of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme and the WMO Strategic Plan.