United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a strong call to action in his latest post marking International Mountain Day, urging the global community to intensify efforts against climate change. He emphasized that he has witnessed glacier melt firsthand — in the Himalayas and across many other mountain regions — stressing that the scale and speed of this transformation can no longer be ignored.
According to António Guterres, mountains and glaciers serve as vital components of the planet’s natural infrastructure, providing fresh water, supporting food systems, and sustaining the livelihoods of millions of people. Their degradation, he warned, poses serious risks to global water security, agriculture, and ecological stability.
The Secretary-General underscored that humanity must make a decisive choice: accelerate climate action or face irreversible consequences.
“Glaciers may be retreating – but we cannot. We must move forward with ambitious and accelerated climate action,” he stated, calling on governments, institutions, and civil society to strengthen commitments under the global #ClimateAction agenda.
The message was released on International Mountain Day, a date dedicated to raising awareness of the fragility of mountain ecosystems and their essential role in sustaining life on Earth.
