IHP-IX 4.7. Assessing and sharing methods to monitor changes in the cryosphere and runoff from melting glaciers, supporting decision-making at all levels.

Undertaking assessments and developing and sharing of methods to monitor changes in the cryosphere system (snow, glacier, and permafrost), runoff formation from melting glaciers erosion and sediment transport, glacier fed reservoirs such as mountain lakes, and aquifers, by the scientific community supported for improved understanding of their potential use to inform decision makers at all levels. 1. Assessment of snow, glaciers, permafrost and surface and groundwater resources in selected regions, supported by compilation of an inventory of mountain-related water hazards Early Warning Systems, including for Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFS) 2. Identification of capacity needs in the respective regions and recommendations to inform decision-making to reduce vulnerabilities from glacier lake outburst under climate change scenarios/projections. 3. Focused research and knowledge generation and dissemination, including International symposium on the scientific understanding on current and future water availability and the risks from highly glacierized basins, IHP position paper to guide forthcoming research. 4. Capacity building to support cryosphere system assessments and vulnerability reduction. 5. Facilitating and supporting of glacier and snow monitoring systems in coordination with World Glacier Monitoring Systems (WGMS) including possibility of web-based data bank to support assessment and sharing methods to monitor changes.

Contributing Action Number

CA4.27

Primary Entry Point

4: Accelerate progress and transformational change

Output(s)

Output 4.2: High-quality, disaggregated water and sanitation data and information are available and shared transparently through strengthened national and sub-national monitoring systems and regional and global platforms with support from the UN system

Output 4.3: Institutional and human resources capacity development support that responds to national needs and priorities is provided by the UN system, contributing to a skilled water and sanitation workforce

Output 4.4: Enabling environments for water and sanitation innovation are supported by the UN system, including policies, partnerships, and transfer of technology to remove barriers, with emphasis on technology transfer needs of developing countries

SDG 6 Target(s)

Cross-cutting work on SDG 6

SDG target 6.1: Achieve safe and affordable drinking water

SDG target 6.4: Increase water-use efficiency and ensure freshwater supplies

SDG target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management (IWRM)

SDG target 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems

Water-related work on other SDGs

Type of Engagement

Normative support (e.g. development of normative guidance, guidelines and standards)

Data collection and analysis

Implementation (e.g. direct support and service delivery, pilot or larger scale)

Capacity development and technical assistance

Convening of stakeholders

Policy advice and thought leadership

Geographical Scope

Regional, transboundary and sub-regional (multi-country) level

Country-level (national, subnational and local)

More information

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000384615

Leading Entity

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation

The Contributing Actions are key initiatives supporting the United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation, aligning individual and joint efforts across UN entities and partnering organizations to advance global water and sanitation goals. These actions are integrated into the Collaborative Implementation Plan (CIP) Results Framework 2025-2028, which provides a structured approach to achieving system-wide impact through coordinated UN efforts.
The Priority Collaborative Actions outlined in the framework focus on enhancing water security, improving governance, strengthening climate resilience, and accelerating progress on sanitation and hygiene. By fostering system-wide collaboration among UN agencies, these actions help drive policy coherence, knowledge sharing, and innovative solutions to address the world’s most pressing water challenges.