Goals

The High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation aims to highlight the importance of glaciers and the urgency of halting their melting, calving and retreat on the Global Agenda. It seeks to advance global efforts in addressing glacier melt and its wide-ranging impacts through collaborative action, scientific innovation, and policy alignment.

The Conference will support the implementation of UN resolutions on the “International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025” and the “Decade of Action for Cryosphere Sciences, 2025–2034”, by mobilizing resources and fostering international cooperation. It aims to strengthen global partnerships among governments, scientists, civil society, and other stakeholders, with a focus on enhancing transboundary collaboration to preserve glaciers and their socio-economic benefits.

Key objectives of the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation include:

1. Advancing scientific research and monitoring to better understand glacier dynamics;
2. Mitigating the socio-economic consequences of glacier retreat, and
3. Promoting integrated adaptation strategies such as early warning systems and disaster risk reduction.

By linking water and climate agendas, the Conference aims to align glacier preservation efforts with global goals for water, energy, and food security. It will also raise awareness, mobilize resources, and leverage key frameworks such as the “Pact for the Future” to inspire transformative actions that ensure the resilience and sustainability of glacier-dependent communities and ecosystems.

1. Key Focus Areas:Promoting scientific research and monitoring. Advancing glacier and high mountain cryosphere science including Indigenous knowledge, technological innovations, and monitoring systems. These efforts will enhance understanding of glacier retreat dynamics and their impacts on ecosystems, water resources, and the global climate system.
2. Addressing socio-economic impacts of glacier melting. Examining the downstream socio-economic consequences of glacier retreat, including its effects on water availability, food security, hydropower, cultural heritage and sea-level rise. The conference will explore actionable solutions to mitigate these impacts and enhance the resilience of glacier-dependent communities.
3. Enhancing climate resilience and adaptation strategies. Promoting integrated approaches for adaptation and mitigation, including early warning systems, disaster risk reduction, and infrastructure solutions to manage water resources and prevent glacial hazards. The Conference will prioritize strategies that enhance community resilience, especially in vulnerable regions.
4. Raising awareness and mobilizing resources. Increasing global awareness of the vital role of glaciers preservation in ecological balance and socio-economic stability. The Conference will seek to mobilize financial and technical resources for glaciers preservation initiatives and facilitate the dissemination of best practices and transformative climate solutions.
5. Linking water, biodiversity, desertification and climate agendas for sustainable development. Highlighting the interconnection between water and climate agendas, while exploring opportunities to integrate glaciers preservation into broader efforts to address global water, energy, and food security challenges. The Conference will promote the alignment of glaciers preservation initiatives with long-term development goals.
6. Catalyzing actions through key frameworks and partnerships. Leveragaging key global frameworks, such as the “Pact for the Future”, and strengthen partnerships and promote transformative actions in glaciers preservation. This includes creating pathways for collective action to mitigate the effects of glacier melt on global ecosystems and human well-being.