On 19 March 2026, within the framework of the high-level event dedicated to the “World Glacier Day – 2026: From the International Year of Glacier Preservation – 2025 to the Decade of Action for Cryosphere Sciences (2025–2034)”, UNESCO headquarters hosted an international side event organized by Tajikistan in collaboration with ICCI, focusing on the risks of glacier degradation and their impact on sustainable development.
The discussion centered on up-to-date scientific data, climate risks, and practical measures, including the development of an international roadmap for glacier preservation. The outcomes of the High-Level International Conference on Glacier Preservation (Dushanbe, 2025) were presented, along with key policy documents aimed at strengthening global cooperation.
During a panel discussion with representatives from states, international organizations, and the scientific community, issues of water security, disaster risk reduction, and the vulnerability of mountain regions were addressed. Participants included representatives from Chile, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Antigua and Barbuda, Norway, as well as leading international experts and specialists in Cryosphere sciences and climate policy. The representative of the Republic of Tajikistan spoke on behalf of Central Asian countries, highlighting common regional challenges related to glacier degradation and the need to consolidate efforts to overcome them.
Special attention was given to the role of international partnerships and coordinated actions within global initiatives, including the development of Cryosphere sciences and strengthening cooperation among countries most exposed to glacier degradation risks.
The event also included a meeting between the Director of the Hydrometeorology Agency of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, Kurbonzoda Abdullo, and the Director of the International Climate and Cryosphere Initiative (ICCI), Ms. Pam Pearson. During the meeting, discussions focused on the development of mutually beneficial cooperation in monitoring and studying cryosphere components, climate change adaptation, application of scientific and practical approaches, and enhancing collaboration on the assessment of high-mountain ecosystems.
Following the meeting, the parties supported an initiative to conduct an international scientific expedition to the glaciers of Tajikistan, aimed at advancing research, knowledge exchange, and practical cooperation in Cryosphere sciences.
The initiative reaffirmed the leadership of the Republic of Tajikistan in promoting the global glacier preservation agenda and strengthening international cooperation in response to contemporary climate challenges.
22.03.2026