IPROMO 2025 wraps up with a call to protect the cryosphere

The 18th edition of the IPROMO summer school wrapped up on 8 July 2025, marking two weeks of immersive learning, collaboration and exchange focused on glaciers and climate change. Held in the picturesque mountain regions of Ormea and Pieve Tesino, Italy, this year’s course united 27 participants from 19 countries under the theme: “Glaciers: understanding, preserving and adapting to climate change”.  

From 24 June to 8 July, participants—young and mid-career professionals from diverse disciplines—explored the science behind glacier retreat, the cascading impacts of climate change on mountain ecosystems, and strategies for resilience in high-altitude communities. The programme featured a mix of expert-led lectures, dynamic group work and hands-on field visits, including excursions to the Lys glacier in the Aosta Valley and the high-altitude pastures of Gressoney La Trinité and Alagna Valsesia. 

Jointly organized by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, the University of Turin, the University of Tuscia and the National Research Council’s Research Institute for Hydrogeological Protection (CNR-IRPI), IPROMO 2025 featured lectures on a wide range of topics, from glacial biodiversity and cryosphere hydrology to citizen science, risk reduction and mountain biospheres. The programme also touched on the importance of connecting scientific research with traditional and Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge systems to address the cryosphere crisis. Lectures were delivered by experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, UNESCO, the World Meteorological Organization, ICIMOD, Asian Development Bank and other leading institutions.  

Participants joined from Armenia, Andorra, Bhutan, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Nepal, Peru, Poland, Republic of Korea, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan—fostering a truly global exchange of ideas and perspectives.  

“This was not just a course; it was a life changing experience. Through IPROMO, I learned more than science; I understood the urgency to act. Every lecture, field visit and conversation was a call to action. IPROMO brought together an incredible group of passionate, committed and generous people,” stated David Santiago Rocha Cárdenas, Colombia. 

“IPROMO was an intense and rewarding experience. I met amazing people from around the world, all connected by our shared passion for mountains. My biggest learning was realizing how much we can achieve together—managing this crisis truly requires a collective effort,” shared Marta Corrà, Italy. 

“For me, IPROMO has been an incredible opportunity to learn how climate change is impacting glaciers and mountain ecosystems. What made it even more special were the field visits—witnessing these changes with our own eyes,” stated Poonam Bista, Nepal. 

“IPROMO is an excellent platform for communication and networking among young professionals and researchers. It gave us a unique opportunity to discuss pressing issues related to glaciers and mountain ecosystems from different perspectives,” shared Amalya Misakyan, Armenia. 

The course concluded with a closing ceremony in Ormea, where participants received diplomas recognizing their engagement and successful completion of the programme. The event was attended by His Excellency Piergabriele Papadia de Bottini, Ambassador of Italy to Uzbekistan, who commended the participants for their dedication to addressing the challenges facing the world’s cryosphere. 

As this new cohort of IPROMO alumni return to their home countries and institutions, they carry with them not only new knowledge but also a shared commitment to advancing glacier preservation and mountain resilience.