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On the 28th International Day of Action for Rivers

Today, on the International Day of Action for Rivers, let us recognise and celebrate the vital role that rivers play in sustaining life—supporting ecosystems, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of billions of people.

Pema Gyamtsho

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March 14, 2025 — Today, on the International Day of Action for Rivers, let us recognise and celebrate the vital role that rivers play in sustaining life—supporting ecosystems, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of billions of people. This annual observance, established in 1997 in Brazil, emerged from a global movement to protect rivers and the communities that depend on them. It is a day to reflect, raise awareness, and take meaningful action to safeguard these essential lifelines of our planet.

This year’s theme, “Our Rivers, Our Future,” serves as a powerful reminder that the health of our rivers is directly tied to our collective well-being, in fact our very survival. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, home to some of the world’s most vital transboundary rivers, including the Indus, Ganges, and Yarlung Zangbo-Brahmaputra. These rivers nourish an estimated 1.8 billion people downstream, providing water, food and energy across vast landscapes. However, climate change, unsustainable development, pollution, and water governance challenges threaten their health and the future of dependent communities.

At ICIMOD, we recognize that the future of these rivers depends on collaborative, science-based action. Through our River Basins initiative, we work closely with riparian nations to promote regional cooperation, integrated water governance, and climate-resilient policies. Our research in cryosphere monitoring, water security, and ecosystem-based adaptation is helping to shape sustainable solutions that protect these rivers and ensure they continue to support the people and biodiversity that rely on them.

But safeguarding our rivers requires a shared commitment. We must work together—across borders and sectors—to restore degraded river systems, uphold the right to clean water, and empower local communities to have a voice in shaping water policies. Whether through advocacy, sustainable policies, or grassroots action, we all have a role to play.

On this International Day of Action for Rivers, ICIMOD stands in solidarity with riverine communities, policymakers, and scientists striving to protect our freshwater ecosystems. Let this be a call to action—to preserve our rivers not just for today, but for generations to come.

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13 Oct 2023 China
在兴都库什-喜马拉雅,全民早期预警尚需更及时的实现

由气候驱动的风暴、洪水、热浪和干旱的经济代价首次被计算出来,即在过去20年中,人类付出的代价已达到1600万美元/小时。其中,三分之二的费用是由于生命损失,剩下的则是因为财产和其他资产损失。 而这不仅是兴都库什-喜马拉雅的统计数据。今年,在我们整个地区,气候灾害给许多家庭来了难以承受的损失:数百人丧生,更多的房屋、农作物和财产在毁灭性的洪水和山体滑坡中被毁。最近,上周锡金蒂斯塔河(Teesta river)爆发冰川湖溃决洪水,这清楚地提醒了人类,大自然的愤怒是无止境的。 今年的国际减灾日与我们区域内的家庭、科学家和政策制定者共同评估了季风和全球升温给人类和经济带来的沉重代价,恰逢其时。 展望未来,气候驱动的灾难将激增。联合国减少灾害风险办公室(UNDRR)预计,到2030年,我们每年将看到560起灾难,使3760万人陷入极端贫困。 科学表明,我们处在风险热点地区。不仅与极端降雨和冰冻圈变化相关,还有热浪、干旱和空气污染。因此,在计算这次季风事件的成本时,我们所有为该地区及其居民服务的人都有责任以更高的速度和更强的雄心,将科学、政策和行动联系起来,实现让所有人都能得到早期预警的目标。 我们急需捐助者深入了解该地区居民所面临的风险,无论是从危险量级和程度来看,还是从受影响的人口规模来看。我们迫切需要适应基金、绿色气候基金和儿童投资融资基金更快地分配到该地区,以及加强补偿机制的运作。 在ICIMOD,我们将在全球范围内倡导双方,还将在整个地区努力建立一种围绕防灾和数据共享文化;对政策制定者进行差异和关键行动领域的教育;为社区配备创新及可行的技术,并扩大以社区为基础的洪水预警系统。 我们所在地区的情况表明,全球范围内面临的灾害存在着巨大的不平等。我们的研究发现,当危机来临时,妇女和弱势群体受到的影响尤为严重。 为了消除这种不平等,我们郑重承诺通过整合工具、知识和资金,确保该地区居民能够有效抵御未来的冲击,并将妇女和弱势群体纳入我们战略的核心。对于兴都库什-喜马拉雅的国家而言,全民早期预警尚需更及时的实现。   白马·嘉措 总干事

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