Amid growing concerns of a looming global water crisis, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, drew attention to the critical role glaciers play in maintaining the Earth’s freshwater supplies during his World Water Day 2025 address today. His message, resonating with the theme “Glacier Preservation,” was a call to action for immediate and concerted global efforts to avert this impending crisis.

The Prime Minister elucidated the daunting challenge of water scarcity that afflicts nearly half of the global populace each year. With an alarming number of individuals denied access to safe drinking water, the problem is further compounded by escalating water pollution and the rapid disappearance of wetlands. These pressing issues demand urgent international collaboration and action.

Pakistan, as emphasized by Prime Minister Sharif, bears a heightened vulnerability to water-related calamities, notably flooding and drought. He reminded the audience of the catastrophic floods that inundated the country in 2022, which wreaked havoc on its irrigation infrastructure. Currently, Pakistan’s geography exacerbates its plight, with a staggering 80% of its land classified as arid or semi-arid, subjecting 30% of its people to conditions akin to drought.

The Prime Minister underscored Pakistan’s critical dependence on water originating beyond its borders, which underscores the importance of fostering cooperation over shared water resources, especially through instruments like the Indus Waters Treaty. Such agreements are vital in maintaining water security amidst shared regional waters.

Highlighting the government’s proactive measures to tackle these daunting challenges, the Prime Minister showcased initiatives such as “Recharge Pakistan,” designed to mitigate flood risks while alleviating drought impacts through strategies rooted in ecosystem-based adaptation. Complementing this, the “Living Indus” initiative was introduced, centering on 25 strategic interventions aimed at promoting nature-based agriculture, revitalizing the Indus delta, and advancing green infrastructure.

Concluding his address, Prime Minister Sharif called for a united front in the mission to conserve glaciers and safeguard our precious water resources. He underscored the collective responsibility to forge a resilient and water-secure future, stressing that concerted global action towards these goals is imperative for the sustenance of coming generations.

This appeal for action on World Water Day resonates with the broader climate change dialogue, positioning Pakistan not only as a nation in need of international support but also as an active participant in the global drive for ecological preservation and sustainability.