World Water Day 2025
World Water Day 2025 reminds us that water security remains one of the defining challenges of our time. As the global population grows and climate change accelerates, access to clean and reliable water sources is becoming increasingly strained. Rising demand, pollution, and extreme weather events are pushing water systems to their limits, requiring urgent action to safeguard this critical resource.
This year’s UN theme, “Glacier Preservation” highlights the vital role that glaciers play in sustaining freshwater supplies for millions worldwide. Glaciers act as natural reservoirs, releasing water steadily to rivers and ecosystems. However, rapid glacier melt due to climate change threatens water availability, disrupts ecosystems, and increases the risk of natural disasters such as floods and droughts. Protecting these frozen water sources is essential for ensuring long-term water security.
Water systems are inherently interconnected, shaped by physical, social, economic, and political factors. The way water resources are preserved today will determine the future of our food systems, energy access, biodiversity, and global stability. Investing in sustainable water management is not just an environmental imperative—it is a pathway to resilience and long-term security.
At IWMI, we continue to work with partners across the Global South to address water challenges by expanding data availability, strengthening governance, and promoting inclusive solutions. By bridging knowledge gaps, empowering communities, and fostering cross-sector collaboration, we are helping to create scalable and sustainable pathways to water security, including efforts to monitor and mitigate glacier loss.
This World Water Day, we are sharing stories that highlight the deep connections between water and resilience—exploring water folk tales from across the globe that link cultural heritage to modern challenges, examining tipping points and the momentum needed for transformative change, and discussing the shifting dynamics of water sources beyond glaciers, including basins, rivers, and streams. By bringing together traditional knowledge, scientific research, and policy insights, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of climate and water challenges.
Join us in advocating for policies and practices that preserve glaciers and secure water for future generations. Follow us here and on our social media channels for insights, research, and updates on how IWMI is working toward a water-secure world.
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