By Meruyert Zhakiya
Published on
Tajikistan, home to Central Asia’s largest glaciers, hosted a high-level UN-backed conference on glacier preservation. Delegates witnessed the impacts of rapid melt and called for global support. The event launched the International Year of Glacier Preservation and resulted in the Dushanbe Declaration and Appeal.
With over 1,300 glaciers already lost, Tajikistan is advocating for stronger research, funding, and emissions cuts. The Asian Development Bank and Green Climate Fund announced a €3.5 billion adaptation programme for nine countries. The summit highlighted glaciers’ crucial role in food, water, and climate security.