ISLAMABAD: Monitoring Desk – Ambassador of Switzerland, Mr. Georg Steiner seeks collaboration of Pakistan and Switzerland to find and implement sustainable solutions to address global warming, especially for clean water and air.
He expressed himself in an event related to International Mountains Day at the Embassy of 11 Dec 2025. The documentary “The Meltdown of Glaciers-Switzerland and Pakistan” was screened at the Swiss Ambassador’s Residence in Islamabad.
“Glaciers matter for water, food and livelihoods in mountains and beyond.” is the theme of the International day that was observed worldwide on 11 Dec 2025. The documentary was produced with the support of the Swiss Embassy in Pakistan, Adventure Club Pakistan and Explore n Exped.
Ambassador said he was thrilled to present the film on the occasion of International Mountain Day, observed on December 11.
“Effects of climate change have been discussed intensely over the last months and have been on the agenda of international conferences. The good thing about these discussions is that they keep our attention on the fact that protecting our environment is extremely important.”
A glacier collapse in Switzerland buried the Alpine village of Blatten in early June 2025. Fortunately, due to continuous monitoring and early evacuation, the community avoided significant casualties. That is why Switzerland is more sensitive than other countries about the glaciers and mountains.
Dawn reported : The documentary is co-produced by Explore n Exped and Adventure Club Pakistan and supported by the Swiss Embassy in Pakistan. It examines the severe impacts of glacial melt in Switzerland and Pakistan and provides striking cinematography. It also showcased expert insights from scientists, farmers, and communities, generating a meaningful discussion and creating a memorable experience for the audience.
The documentary raised awareness of the essential role glaciers, snow and ice play in the climate system and hydrological cycle and highlighted how rapid glacial melt affects agriculture, water security and the livelihoods of vulnerable mountain communities.
In the film, experts in Switzerland and researchers from Pakistan emphasised the need for collaboration, advancing scientific knowledge and improving policy frameworks to address the effects of climate change on glaciers.
The documentary featured interviews with glaciologists and climate scientists from both countries. Central to the narrative were the voices of those living in the shadow of melting ice.
Pakistani and Swiss farmers were watching irrigation sources disappear, facing flooding and the loss of livelihoods. Switzerland, with advanced monitoring systems, financial resources and established infrastructure, had significant adaptive capacity.
Still, the documentary showed how the Alpine nation struggled to respond to the speed and scale of glacial retreat.
Pakistan, home to more than 7,000 glaciers and the world’s highest concentration of peaks above 8,000 metres, had far fewer resources. It faces catastrophic risks from glacial lake outburst floods, irrigation challenges and flooding.
The audience appreciated the documentary’s balanced approach and stunning cinematography, which did not compromise its scientific insights into the environmental challenges ahead.
The film highlights quite a few aspects in this respect and outlines the consequences of these issues for our countries and especially for communities at the grassroots level,” Mr Steiner said.
