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UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in China, James George, delivered opening remarks at the 2025 World Water Day event in Beijing, China.
Dear Mr. ZHANG Yi, Deputy Director-General of CICETE
Mr. HAO Zhao, Director-General of International Economic and Technical Cooperation and Exchange Center, Ministry of Water Resources
Academician Chen Xi, Euro-Asia Academy of Science
DG-level Inspector Mr. Zhang Yuncang, Ministry of Water Resources
DDG Mr. Chen Lei, Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
Distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen,
Good morning!
On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of you gathered here in Beijing to mark the World Water Day 2025.
This year's theme, "Glacier Preservation," is especially timely as we navigate an escalating global water crisis driven by climate change.
Glaciers are not just frozen landscapes; they are the world’s lifelines.
They hold around 70% of the world’s freshwater, making them the largest reservoir of fresh water on the planet. [1] They feed into rivers and sustain billions of people.
It is estimated by UN Water that one out of every four people on earth lives in areas where glaciers and seasonal snowmelt supply their water in 2023. [2]
Yet, rising global temperatures are melting glaciers at alarming rates- threatening water supplies and security, increasing the risk of natural disasters such as floods, droughts, landslides, and rising sea levels, and damaging ecosystems.
This directly impacts progress towards SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), reminding us that glacier preservation and water governance are inseparable from the urgency outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Recognizing the importance of glaciers, the United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation, highlighting the need for urgent global action.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In China, the stakes are particularly high.
Nearly two-thirds of cities experience water scarcity, while glacier retreat in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau jeopardizes water supplies for millions downstream.
In rural areas—home to over 500 million people—water scarcity disrupts livelihoods, exacerbates poverty (SDG 1), and undermines food security (SDG 2).
As such, sustainable water governance is remains critical component of the rural revitalization agenda - ensuring equitable access to water for irrigation, sanitation, and climate-resilient development.
"Only through a whole of society approach of stakeholders from government, academia, private sector, and civil society actively engaging actively to share experiences, discuss innovative solutions, and explore future directions in water management – can we shape together future actions and policies."
This year, UNDP China will observe the World Water Day through the framework of the UNDP China’s Water Governance Programme, highlighting achievements and charting new paths for water resource management, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment.
Since 2007, UNDP China, CICETE, and Coca-Cola China, alongside the Ministry of Water Resources and other relevant ministries and local governments and partners, have actively engaged in promoting sustainable water management through the Water Governance Programme.
The programme has mobilized nearly $40 million and implemented over 50 projects across 20 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities- from the Yangtze River to the Yellow River and Haihe River basins.
More than 2.5 million people have directly benefited from this programme, with indirect beneficiaries reaching 23.763 million.
Insights from these projects will be presented today to offer valuable case studies and lessons learned for knowledge exchange and discussions.
I would like to thank the esteemed speakers and presenters today for sharing your views, insights and wisdom.
In closing, let me state that today’s event is of meaningful attributable to your engagement, participation and insights and suggestions.
Only through a whole of society approach of stakeholders from government, academia, private sector, and civil society actively engaging actively to share experiences, discuss innovative solutions, and explore future directions in water management – can we shape together future actions and policies. I thus take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for the contributions from the private sector multi-international and domestic, including the Coca-Cola Foundation and BOE, in addressing water governance issues in partnership with UNDP.
I am confident that today’s presentations and discussions will serve as a catalyst for further progress and innovation in glacier preservation and sustainable water governance in China.
Looking ahead, it is crucial to address the issues at hand – we need to continue innovating and scaling up successful models, broaden, diversify, and strengthen partnerships across sectors, actively engage local communities as active development actors, and continue to advocate and share insights for innovative and integrated policy reforms that support sustainable water management and the broader sustainable development agenda.
With just 5 years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda, let us take this journey together and ensuring inclusive, resilient and sustainable pathways for everyone, everywhere by building a water-secure future, where no one is left behind.
Thank you.
