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UN World Water Development Report 2025: A worldwide rollout

The recently launched UN World Water Development Report (WWDR) 2025 Mountains and Glaciers: Water towers, has gained worldwide attention through a series of impactful regional events organized by UNESCO and its field offices in collaboration with partners.
El Calafate_Argentina_WWDR 2025

In Nigeria, the UNESCO Abuja Office and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation hosted a vibrant commemoration of World Water Day. Dignitaries including the Hon. Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, and key officials from national water agencies and UNICEF gathered for the occasion. Though Nigeria has no glaciers, the Minister emphasized the far-reaching consequences of glacier melt, such as rising sea levels, coastal flooding, and freshwater shortages—issues with serious implications for West Africa.

In Nepal, a National Symposium on Cryosphere was held in Kathmandu, drawing together scientists, environmentalists, and government leaders. Co-organized by a coalition of national and international organizations—including ICIMOD, Kathmandu University, UNESCO, and others—the event spotlighted the vital role of glaciers in sustaining both local ecosystems and downstream populations. Nepal’s Minister for Forest and Environment, Hon. Mr. Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, stressed the urgency of preserving these “water towers” and highlighted the country’s efforts in glacier conservation. Copies of the WWDR 2025 were distributed to raise awareness and promote action.

A regional event titled Evolution of the Glaciers in Latin America took place in El Calafate, Argentina, backed by UNESCO Montevideo and the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme. Experts examined the growing threat of glacial retreat to societies and ecosystems. The findings will inform discussions at the upcoming Conference of Ibero-American Water Directors (CODIA), emphasizing the need for regional collaboration on glacier preservation.

In Europe, the WWDR was presented in multiple venues. In Spain, students and teachers at the Madrid Ateneum engaged with the report’s themes, while in Italy, the University of Pisa hosted a session led by the World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP). Fondazione UniVerde translated the report into Italian and held a national event in Rome, where Italy’s Minister for European Affairs, Mr. Tommaso Foti, underlined the importance of mountain water sources for downstream food and energy security. 

At the United Nations HQ in New York, UNESCO and WMO organized a high-level event to celebrate the 1st World Glaciers Day, and a press briefing has been organized to illustrate the Report to the journalists.

Meanwhile, in Pakistan, the UNESCO Office in Islamabad and the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources presented the report at COMSATS University. The university’s rector highlighted glaciers’ vital role in sustaining the nation’s freshwater needs. Marilina Armellin, Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan, reaffirmed her country’s commitment to climate action and support for Pakistan’s resilience strategies.

Abuja office_WWDR launch
Ms. Enang Moma of UNESCO Abuja Office and Honorable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation of Nigeria, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev.
Nepal_regional launch WWDR 2025
Mr. Gobinda Bahadur Shahi (KIRDARC), Mr. Bhawani S. Dongol (Small Earth Nepal), Dr. Dhiraj Pradhananga (UNESCO Chair Mountain Water Sustainability), Ms. Sijal Pokharel (UNESCO Kathmandu), Ms. Prakriti Gurung (UNESCO Kathmandu) officially launched the Report in Kathmandu, Nepal.
UNESCO Islamabad_regional launch wwdr2025
Prof. Dr. Sajid Qamar (Rector of COMSATS University Islamabad), Mr. Kar Hung Antony Tam (UNESCO Office in Pakistan), H.E. Marilina Armellin (Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan), Dr. Hifza Rasheed (Director General of PCRWR).
El Calafate_Argentina
Celebrations of World Water Day and World Glaciers Day in Calafate, Argentina.
WWDR2025 presentation UN HQ
Presentation of the UN World Water Development Report 2025 at UN.

These regional presentations of the WWDR 2025 have not only amplified the message of the report but also sparked a global dialogue on the urgent need to safeguard our planet’s water towers.

Below the full list of locations around the world where the Report has been presented and distributed:

Abuja, Nigeria - Bamako, Mali - Beirut, Lebanon - Bruges, Belgium - City of Belmopan, Belize - Doha, Qatar - Hanoi, Vietnam - Harare, Zimbabwe -  Islamabad, Pakistan - Libreville, Gabon - Lima, Peru - Lodz, Poland - Jakarta, Indonesia - Madrid, Spain - Montevideo, Uruguay - Nairobi, Kenya - New York, USA - Kampala, Uganda - Khartoum, Sudan - Kathmandu, Nepal -  Paris, France -  Pisa, Italy - Santiago, Chile - Terni, Italy - Warsaw, Poland - Roma, Italy - Venice, Italy.