Dushanbe: As glaciers across Central Asia continue to disappear at an alarming rate, Tajikistan has emerged as a leading voice in the fight against climate change. Hosting the first-ever high-level International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation, the country has called for urgent international collaboration to protect its vast ice reserves.
Tajikistan, home to nearly 14,000 glaciers—the highest number in Central Asia—has already lost over 1,000 of them. Speaking at the sidelines of the global event, President Emomali Rahmon proposed launching a sweeping scientific initiative to study the country’s glaciers. His plan includes organizing a large-scale expedition and setting up a regional glacier research laboratory to monitor and understand glacier dynamics more effectively.
Rahmon highlighted the Vanch Yakh Glacier, formerly known as Fedchenko, as a critical focus for researchers. The glacier, which holds the title of the world’s largest continental glacier, has receded by more than a kilometre over the past eight decades—a stark indicator of the accelerating impact of global warming.
“Given that over 60% of the region’s glaciers lie within our borders, Tajikistan is ready to work with international partners and scientific institutions to protect these vital water sources,” said Rahmon.
The conference, held in Dushanbe, attracted over 2,000 participants from more than 80 countries, underscoring the growing global concern over glacial retreat. Key international figures in attendance included UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, among others.
This gathering also sets the stage for the UN’s 2025 International Year of Glacier Preservation, aiming to turn diplomatic momentum into concrete climate action.
