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Water and glaciers: UNESCO in Chile promotes a global commitment to tackle the climate crisis
With the support of the UNESCO Regional Office in Santiago, a series of meetings were held to reflect on the need to protect water and glaciers, essential resources in a world affected by climate change. The events, which brought together authorities, experts and activists, provided a platform to raise awareness of the urgency to address the environmental crisis that threatens water security and biodiversity in various regions.
On 19 March, the Central House of the University of Chile hosted the commemoration of World Water Day, in a ceremony organised by the National Committee for the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme of UNESCO (CONAPHI Chile). The event not only marked the 50th anniversary of this body but also served as a forum to discuss the challenges Chile faces in water management.
In his address, Dr Horacio Bown, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry Sciences and Nature Conservation at the University of Chile, called on society as a whole to take responsibility for sustainability, particularly in relation to water, a fundamental natural resource in achieving this global goal, and where the country must assume significant responsibilities.
For her part, Esther Kuisch Laroche, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office, emphasised: "We reaffirm our commitment to water management based on knowledge and cooperation. The work of CONAPHI-Chile and UNESCO over these five decades has been crucial in promoting research and informed decision-making on water issues. Protecting water resources is a global challenge that requires the combined efforts of science, education and public policy."
Two days later, on 21 March, the commemoration of , under the theme "Chile, land of glaciers", took place at the La Moneda Cultural Centre in Santiago. This event, organised by the Chilean Glaciers Foundation and Plantae Foundation, marked a significant milestone as it was the first action in Chile for the International Year of Glacier Conservation 2025.
The activity featured a discussion panel comprising artists, activists and authorities, including the National Prize for Visual Arts winner, Cecilia Vicuña, and cold-water swimmer Bárbara Hernández, who joined the cause to raise public awareness about the urgency of glacier protection.
One of the key moments was the signing of a decree by the Minister of Environment, Maisa Rojas, officially designating 21 March as National Glacier Day in Chile. This new commemoration, which will coincide with the international date, reinforces Chile's commitment to preserving these essential ecosystems for environmental balance and water security.
"The melting of glaciers not only transforms our landscapes but also poses a direct threat to humanity. Their retreat accelerates sea level rise, endangers coastal communities, and disrupts entire ecosystems. Additionally, it jeopardises access to freshwater for those who depend on seasonal melting, especially in high mountain areas and arid regions," said Director Esther Kuisch Laroche.
In this regard, she added: "If current trends continue, mountain glaciers could lose between 26% and 41% of their total mass by the year 2100. The coming years will be crucial in building resilience in coastal communities and redoubling our efforts to conserve glaciers."
