#Conference. TAJIKISTAN’S GLOBAL INITIATIVES IN GLACIER PRESERVATION AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES OF CRYOSPHERE EVOLUTION
26 августа 2026
#Conference. TAJIKISTAN’S GLOBAL INITIATIVES IN GLACIER PRESERVATION AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES OF CRYOSPHERE EVOLUTION
Today, 26 August a Republican Scientific and Theoretical Conference was held in the hall of the State Institution “National Library” of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, initiated by the Institute for Glacier and…
Today, 26 August a Republican Scientific and Theoretical Conference was held in the hall of the State Institution “National Library” of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, initiated by the Institute for Glacier and Cryosphere Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan and in the context of declaring 2025–2034 as the “International Decade of Action on Cryospheric Sciences.”
President of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Academician Khushvakhtzoda Qobiljon Khushvakht, in his opening remarks, first congratulated those present on the significant occasion of the 35th anniversary of the State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan and noted that holding this republican event on the eve of the landmark 35th anniversary of the State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan is of particular importance to us.
It was emphasized that state independence is not only a new stage in the development of statehood, but also a solid foundation for the formation and strengthening of all spheres of the country’s life, including the system of natural resource management, the development of science and technology, as well as strengthening national capacity in preventing natural hazards and adapting to climate change.
It was noted that the impact of climate change is no longer merely a subject of scientific forecasts for the future, but has become a daily reality for the global community. According to available assessments, the rate of glacier melting in our region is almost three times higher than the global average. This process is not only an environmental problem, but also has a serious impact on water security, food security, economic development, and social stability in the countries of the region.
It was stated that nearly 30 percent of glaciers in Tajikistan have disappeared over the past century. The Tajik glacier, formerly known as the Fedchenko Glacier and considered one of the largest continental glaciers in the world, has retreated by more than one kilometer over the past 70–80 years and has lost approximately 44 square kilometers of its area.
Continuing his speech, it was emphasized that the Republic of Tajikistan, as a country with significant water resources and one of the countries vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, has placed the issue of glacier and cryosphere preservation at the center of its environmental and climate policy. Through the constructive and consistent initiatives of the Republic of Tajikistan, the issue of glacier preservation has been brought from the national level to the international agenda, and the international community has been engaged in joint cooperation on the study, monitoring, and preservation of ice resources.
It was noted that Tajikistan’s international initiatives in the fields of water, climate, and glacier preservation have received broad support from the international community. The adoption of resolutions by the United Nations General Assembly, including the declaration of March 21 as World Glaciers Day and 2025–2034 as the “International Decade of Action on Cryospheric Sciences,” is clear evidence of the global importance of issues related to glaciers and the cryosphere.
In continuation, Member of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan Amirzoda Orif delivered a speech and expressed his views on the importance of the global initiatives of the Republic of Tajikistan in the field of glacier preservation, climate change, and the protection of water resources.
It was noted that the initiatives of the Republic of Tajikistan in the field of environmental protection, rational use of water resources, and adaptation to climate change are of significant importance at the international level and provide favorable conditions for attracting the attention of the international community to environmental and climate problems.
It was emphasized that the issue of rapid glacier melting has today become one of the most important environmental and socio-economic problems of global significance. Therefore, the preservation of glaciers, the study of cryosphere change processes, and forecasting their impact on water resources require further expansion of international cooperation in this field.
Also, Rakhmonzoda Ramazon Zikurullo Director of the State Institution “Institute for Glacier and Cryosphere Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan,” and other representatives of the country’s ministries and agencies, in their speeches, expressed their views on the current state of Tajikistan’s glaciers, the importance of scientific research in the study of the cryosphere, and the role of science in preserving the country’s water resources.
It was noted that under conditions of climate change, continuous study and monitoring of the state of glaciers, determination of the rate of their decline, and assessment of the impact of this process on water resources are among the important scientific and practical tasks. In this regard, the Institute for Glacier and Cryosphere Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan directs its scientific research activities toward analyzing natural processes, monitoring glaciers, and developing effective ways to preserve them.
