Numerous experts from all over the world are flocking to UNESCO's Paris headquarters these days to celebrate World Water Day, this year dedicated in particular to glaciers, which cover some 700,000 km² of the earth's surface and whose rapid melting threatens environmental stability, water security, agriculture and hydropower production.
As the latest scientific studies show, Alpine glaciers have lost about 30 per cent of their total volume over the past 20 years. If no immediate action is taken, one third of their current surface area could disappear by 2050, jeopardising the future of entire ecosystems and communities and causing serious consequences for life on Earth. From the UNESCO event, which opened yesterday and runs until tonight, there is therefore a clear call for the strengthening of common commitment to the protection of glaciers and the adoption of concrete measures for water security.
It is in this context that the United Nations World Water Development Report 2025, drawn up annually by UNESCO's World Water Assesment Programme and financed and hosted by Italy (in Perugia) since 2007, is being presented today.
In the same setting, the United Nations Decade for Cryosphere Sciences (2025-2034) was inaugurated, which aims to address the growing challenges posed by the melting of glaciers through the strengthening of scientific research and climate action at a global level.
In the important international "two-day" event, Italy is also a protagonist with a collateral event curated by photographer Fabiano Ventura and his ambitious project, supported by the Farnesina and sponsored by UNESCO: a merciless comparison between historical images and contemporary photos of glaciers in the Alps, Caucasus, Karakorum, Himalayas and Alaska, offering clear visual evidence of the impact of the climate crisis, with glaciers that were once extensive and majestic and are now greatly reduced in size.
Ambassador Liborio Stellino, Italy's Permanent Representative to UNESCO, spoke, emphasising the Government's commitment to these global challenges: "Italy is at the forefront in supporting UNESCO's activities in the field of hydrological sciences and shares the message that emerges strongly today: collective action is essential to combat climate change and preserve natural resources for future generations, ensuring sustainable development".
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