Dushanbe hosts first global summit on melting glaciers

The first-ever high-level international conference on glacier melt has wrapped up in Dushanbe, bringing together more than 2,500 delegates from 80 countries.

 The summit ended with the Dushanbe Declaration, a joint pledge to take urgent action against glacier loss, which threatens the water supply for millions worldwide.

Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon warned that the accelerating melt is a growing danger to humanity. In 2023 alone, glaciers lost an estimated 600 gigatons of freshwater.

The declaration calls for cutting emissions, shifting to greener production, and improving monitoring. A new international coalition of governments, scientists, and civil groups will lead implementation and promote climate innovation.

Participants also launched the Glacier Protection and Knowledge Access Fund to support glacier research, monitoring systems, and technology for water conservation, especially in poorer countries.

Tajikistan formally joined the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), strengthening its global environmental role. President Rahmon also laid out a seven-point plan to boost cooperation and build early warning systems.

The crisis is especially urgent in Central Asia. Tajikistan has already lost nearly 30% of its glacier area, and over 1,000 glaciers have disappeared in 23 years. The UN warns that over half the region’s glaciers could vanish by 2050, threatening water for 64 million people.

Kyrgyzstan showcased a new adaptation idea: artificial glaciers, or “ice towers,” to store water in winter and release it during dry seasons.

Dushanbe’s selection as host reflects its leadership. The UN previously declared 2025 the International Year of Glacier Conservation, following a resolution led by Rahmon.

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