The 2025 edition of UN-Water’s flagship annual report on water calls attention to the essential services and benefits mountain waters and alpine glaciers provide to societies, economies and the environment.

With a focus on the technical and policy responses required to improve water management in mountains, the report covers critical issues such as water supply and sanitation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, food and energy security, industry, disaster risk reduction and ecosystem protection.

This report shows that the global economy is finally recovering following a sequence of shocks. Inflation is falling and economic growth—while slower than before the pandemic—has stabilized. In response, Central Banks are lowering interest rates, easing borrowing for much needed investments. In response, Central Banks are lowering interest rates, easing borrowing for much needed investments. But the world still faces challenges that slow the rate of economic progress and the pursuit of better lives for all.