HKH Glaciers at a crossroads: New evidence on rapid ice loss

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM (Nepal, UTC: 5:45)

About the event

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is convening a media forum to share new scientific evidence on glacier change in the HKH and provide journalists with early access to key findings from two upcoming publications:

• Changing Dynamics of Glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalaya Region (1990–2020)
• HKH Glacier Outlook 2026: Insights from 50 Years of Himalayan Glacier Monitoring

These reports present the latest analysis of glacier change in the region and examine what accelerating ice loss means for water security, disaster risk, and communities across Asia.

The forum aims to support informed and evidence-based media coverage on glacier change and its far-reaching implications.

The media forum is being organised to mark the global observance of World Day for Glaciers, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of glaciers and the risks posed by their rapid retreat under climate change. The day is part of broader global efforts under the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, which highlights the urgent need to protect the world’s glaciers and improve scientific monitoring of the cryosphere.

Key themes of the forum

The media forum will highlight:

• New scientific findings on glacier mass balance and glacier change in the HKH
• What accelerating glacier loss means for Asia’s rivers and water security
• Emerging risks related to glacial hazards, including glacial lake outburst floods
• The urgent need to strengthen glacier monitoring and cryosphere research

Experts and lead authors will present the findings and engage directly with journalists to discuss the broader implications for climate resilience and sustainable water management in the region.

Why this matters

Changes in glaciers are not only a mountain issue. They have profound implications for water systems, food production, energy generation, and disaster risks across large parts of Asia.

Understanding glacier change in the HKH is therefore essential for anticipating future water availability and strengthening climate adaptation strategies across the region.

By providing journalists with access to new scientific evidence and expert insights, the media forum aims to support accurate reporting on one of the most important environmental transformations shaping Asia’s future.

Media engagement

Journalists attending the forum will receive:

• Early access to key findings from the two reports
• Opportunities to interact with leading cryosphere scientists and authors
• Data, visuals, and story resources to support reporting on glacier change

Background

Glaciers across the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) are undergoing rapid change as global temperatures continue to rise. Often referred to as Asia’s “water towers,” these mountains store the largest volume of ice outside the polar regions and regulate the flow of major rivers that sustain nearly two billion people across Asia.

Scientific evidence increasingly shows that glaciers in the region are losing ice at accelerating rates. Since the mid-1970s, Himalayan glaciers have lost significant ice thickness, with melting rates doubling after 2000. These changes are already altering river flows, increasing the risk of hazards such as glacial lake outburst floods, and reshaping long-term water availability for mountain and downstream communities.

At the same time, significant knowledge gaps remain. Despite the HKH region hosting over 63,700 glaciers, only a handful are monitored through long-term benchmark observations that meet international standards. Strengthening glacier monitoring and improving understanding of cryosphere change has therefore become a critical priority for the region.