IWES at the 1st World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day in Paris

Last week, our IWES team had the honor of participating in the joint celebration of the first World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day 2025, which took place on March 20-21, 2025, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. This landmark event, organized as part of the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025, brought together leading experts, policymakers, and climate advocates to address the urgent challenges facing the global cryosphere and its impact on water security, ecosystems, and communities worldwide.

As part of our engagement in this prestigious event, IWES was proud to be both a participant and organizer of Side Event 3: “A Vanishing Mountain Cryosphere and Its Importance for the Water Cycle Under Climate Change.” This session, co-moderated by Ms. Anesa Sasivarevic, explored the critical role of glaciers in mitigating drought impacts, the importance of real-time monitoring tools like MODSNOW, and the latest scientific insights from regions such as the Andes, Central Asia, and South Asia.

We extend our deepest gratitude Feruza Gafurova, and Anesa Sasivarevic for their invaluable contributions in making this side event a success. Their dedication and expertise were instrumental in fostering insightful discussions and strengthening collaborations for future climate adaptation and water management efforts.

The session featured esteemed speakers, including Prof. Francesca Pellicciotti, Bethan Davies, Dr. James McPhee, Dr. Owen King, Dr. Jeremy Ely, Dr. Dinara Ziganshina, Sophie Falkeis, and many others. Their contributions underscored the urgent need to bridge the gap between science, policy, and societal preparedness to address the rapid melting of glaciers and its far-reaching consequences.

As we reflect on this meaningful experience, IWES remains committed to advancing research, fostering global partnerships, and promoting sustainable water management solutions. We look forward to continuing these crucial discussions and working together toward a resilient and water-secure future.

Learn more: 🔗 UNESCO World Day for Glaciers 🔗 Side Event 3 Program